Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Catterick Bridge, Newcastle and Chelmsford on 12 January 2023.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 1 No1 BROOMFIELD PRESENT
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
BROOMFIELD PRESENT had a good horse behind him when scoring at Ffos Las and now makes a big jump up the distance ladder under a 7lb penalty. He was one of few novices from his stable that showed their mettle before Christmas and looks a good starting point for favourite backers.
Race 4 No1 GENERAL OFFICER (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
A double penalty is unlikely to stop GENERAL OFFICER completing a hat-trick in this two and a half mile novices’ hurdle. Both those triumphs happened at Musselburgh, and he’s been taken to a similarly easy track to continue his progression. Hexham scorer Bingoo looks the chief threat, but the form of that race has been let down.
Race 5 No4 LEGENDS RYDE
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
With The Galloping Bear a defector, LEGENDS RYDE appears to have the bases covered in this featured North Yorkshire Grand National. The mare maintained her impressive earning sequence when third in a distaffers’ chase at Cheltenham last month and looks like she wants to go further, suggesting this stamina test will be right up her street.
Race 7 No3 EL MUCHACHO
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Cobden can hardly fail to ride winners right now, and his booking for EL MUCHACHO takes the eye. The grey gained a fully deserved first triumph over hurdles on handicap bow at Plumpton and is strongly fancied to defy a 7lb penalty before he’s raised a further 4lb next week.
