Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednseday’s racing coming your way from Wolverhampton, Plumpton and Southwell on 18 January 2023.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No2 BRAVURA (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
BRAVURA is in a better race than when second to Mohatu at Lingfield but will have learned much from that effort. He made a dash for home rounding the final bend, and though hunted down in the final furlong posted a much improved run from his debut at the same track. Furthermore he is going to greatly enjoy this extended nine furlongs trip, having stepped up the distance ladder in each of his three outings.
Race 4 No1 FAST STYLE
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Kempton winner FAST STYLE did not take to hurdling after changing stables, but when switched to the Appleby yard cosily delivered at Newcastle last week. There can be little doubt that he’s greatly benefitted from a third career yard move and is strongly fancied to defy a 5lb penalty.
Race 5 No1 POLITICS
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Muscutt’s riding has been a feature of the all-weather action since the turn of the year, his ride on POLITICS at Lingfield last week illustrating it perfectly. The combination reappeared under a penalty and can stave off the challenge of fellow recent scorer Momaer to give the trainer a quick-fire double.
PLUMPTON
Race 3 No4 PONCHO
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Jamie Moore
PONCHO holds the cards in this maiden hurdle following three solid efforts in defeat including a pleading first run over jumps when second in a big field behind Celtic Art at Wincanton. On the balance of form he should have the edge over Astromachia.
Race 6 No3 TOMMY DILLION
Trainer: Richard Rowe – Jockey: Niall Houlihan
Heavy ground played to the strengths of TOMMY DILLION when he left recent form behind to cruise home at Lingfield. He’s been handed a 12lb hike for the pre Christmas triumph, but with conditions again 8n his favour should prove hard to beat.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No2 RAY OF COLOURS
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Franny Norton
RAY OF COLOURS was an unconsidered 33-1 shot when claiming a cheque in Bravura’s race at Lingfield on debut for his trainer. The Ribchester colt now switches to handicaps with a good chance of upping his game on a first visit to this track.
Race 5 No1 FINERY
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Erika Parkinson
Penalised top weight FINERY can lead them home in this competitive fillies’ handicap. The six-year-old has reaped a rich harvest since scoring at Chelmsford in September, racing six times on Tapeta for a further two successes at this track. And it’s interesting that her pilot has been in the hot seat on each occasion and knows her well.
Race 6 No1 TENNESSEE DREAM (Nap)
Trainer: Charles Hills – Jockey: Kevin Stott
Oasis Dream filly TENNESSEE DREAM raised her game to easily take out a Classified at Wolverhampton last week, looking as if she has turned a corner. She remains close to the bottom rung of the AW level but finds herself in a race that shouldn’t take much winning, with the majority of her foes out of form.
