Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Market Rasen, Southwell and Newcastle on 20 January 2023.
MARKET RASEN
Race 1 No10 UNCLE BERT
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
This yard has been hitting the woodwork and deserves a change of luck, which can arrive courtesy of UNCLE BERT. The selection has shown he likes testing conditions on each of his starts, latterly when chasing home Altobelli at Ffos Las before Christmas. Twiston-Davies houses some potentially decent novices at Grange Farm and this is one of them.
Race 2 No5 POLDARK CROSS (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
POLDARK CROSS has suffered from jumping issues which haunted him again at Plumpton when he unseated his rider in the race won by Uallrightharry. He often attracts market support, and with a clear round can start to recoup those losses.
Race 4 No2 CUTHBERT DIBBLE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
This father/son combination might have a better chance of netting the handicap hurdle with CUTHBERT DIBBLE than his barnmate Keepyourdreamsbig. The assessor has taken no chances with my selection, but the novice in which he finished third to Gardener at Leicester reads well, and the Kayf Tara gelding is well regarded at Grange Farm.
Race 5 No1 QUEENS GAMBLE (Nap)
Trainer: Oliver Sherwood – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
This is one of the best races of its kind run this season and presents QUEENS GAMBLE to remain unbeaten, complete a hat-trick and live up to the star billing afforded her by connections. The Getaway mare’s successes at Cheltenham include a Listed contest in which she powered clear up the final hill. Her jockey describes her as the fastest mare he’s even ridden, which is a huge compliment.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No6 VILLALOBOS (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: Finley Marsh
VILLALOBOS hasn’t done much wrong since undergoing a breathing operation last summer, positing subsequent figures of 19212. He’s a horse that knows where the winning post is, with both successes happening in close photos. He was narrowly denied on his latest outing last week, and just needs to show that her operates as well on a first visit to this course.
Race 5 a No12 ROMAN ART (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Probert
Odds-on favourite Golden Speech has a definite kink in his armour but meets lesser foes than stablemate First Sight who had his measure at Kempton the other day. While he’s likely to prevail, there’s each way value in ROMAN ART, who was seen making up late ground in the Lingfield maiden won by Mohatu. Taking stock of the fact this Ribchester gelding will earn a mark today, he’s nevertheless capable of hitting the board at a tasty price.
Race 8 No5 TRICKY BUSINESS
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Billy Garritty
TRICKY BUSINESS produced a much improved run on second start for Dalgleish when taking away a minor cheque in James Bond’s race at Newcastle. He should have more to give now he’s had time to settle in with his handler and has to be taken seriously.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No2 GILDED MOON
Trainer: Ed Dunlop – Jockey: Taylor Fisher
GILDED MOON benefitted from the addition of cheek pieces when getting off the mark at Lingfield under the same apprentice that’s in her saddle today. The success should have given the daughter of Sea The Moon a confidence injection, and she’s taken to defy a 6lb penalty.
Race 4 No3 BROWNLEE
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Tom Marquand
On a first visit to Gosforth Park, BROWNLEE can consolidate on his breakthrough triumph at Southwell. The chestnut dominated the closing stages of that sprint and is under the wing of a man who excels with this type of individual.
Race 6 No3 ADMIRAL JACK (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Franny Norton
ADMIRAL JACK takes the eye on his debut for rookie handler Johnston in the maiden. The US Navy Flag colt upped his game to carry away a cheque on second start at Lingfield in late December and will be more effective over today’s longer trip. He is preferred to Man Of Eden, who also debuts for his trainer, but has had more chances than the selection.
