Neil Morrice shares his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Plumpton, Catterick Bridge and Wolverhampton on 13 February 2023.
PLUMPTON
Race 3 No3 DIAMOND EGG
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Connections of DIAMOND EGG have delayed his return to the track looking for suitable ground, but the Huntingdon bumper winner should find conditions to suit and make this a successful first run over hurdles. Representing a syndicate headed by former trainer Henrietta Knight, the five-year-old has been well prepared for jumping by a trainer who can do nothing wrong.
Race 4 No4 SHELDON
Trainer: Seamus Mullins – Jockey: Michael Nolan
SHELDON seems to have put some jumping problems behind him and can halt the impressive winning sequence of Gloire D’Athon in this two-and-a-half-mile novices’ handicap chase. The chestnut was unbeaten when completing over fences before a slightly underwhelming effort at Huntingdon, but should be able to raise his game over a longer, more suitable trip.
Race 5 No7 PRINCE IMPERIAL (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Novice PRINCE IMPERIAL looked all over the winner on the first of two runs at this track before Christmas, only to be reeled in after the final flight, and was taking on a top notcher when third to Hansard in early January. The Frankel gelding should have more to offer, and makes abundant appeal on this first handicap assignment for a trainer that knows his onions.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 3 No9 OMEGA (Each Way)
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Harry Cobden
If there’s one that could improve in this handicap hurdle then OMEGA is surely it. Formerly based with a top trainer in Germany, the five-year-old hasn’t done anything in two starts in Britain to inspire confidence that he might be winning soon, but he remains unexposed, and on a dangerous mark if able to convert his good form from the Flat to jumping.
Race 4 No3 FRUIT N NUT (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
FRUIT N NUT is a winner of four of his last seven races comprising two bumpers, a maiden and a handicap hurdle. He proved a worthy favourite when winning at Sedgefield at the end of last month, and should cause problems for paper favourite and hat-trick seeker El Muchacho.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 4 No3 BRIGHTLY (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
This is a well-contested novice on an interesting card. Godolphin fields a strong Appleby challenge through Mountain Song and newcomer Eternal Hope. But that could spoil the party however is BRIGHTLY, who earned on both all-weather starts before Christmas and should enjoy stepping up to this new distance.
Race 5 No9 OUTBREAK (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Jason Hart
OUTBREAK has been restricted to just four outings owing to training issues since his last run at Doncaster at the start of the 2022 turf season. The Salisbury novice scorer returned with a problem and wasn’t able to build on the promise she’d shown as a juvenile, but he returns as the undoubted joker in the pack here, and is one to monitor closely in market exchanges.
Race 6 No7 GREYSTOKE (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
GREYSTOKE shaped well on a first run for six months when claiming a minor cheque at Lingfield and should be more fine-tuned for this return to the track. A winner on the Flat, on the all-weather and of a novice hurdle, he has a wide draw to deal with, but if assuming a midfield position can arrive with a late challenge to reward each way support.
Race 8 No2 BERKSHIRE PHANTOM
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
Any of the four acceptors can win this fascinating finale, but with a recent all-weather success to boost his confidence BERKSHIRE PHANTOM might be the answer. His short-head triumph over Afterwards at Southwell was the grey’s first run on an artificial surface, while his placed form in four outings on turf stands up to the closest inspection with regard to the ability of the horses that beat him.
