Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Wetherby, Southwell and Newcastle on 26 January 2023.
WETHERBY
Race 4 No1 IRON BRIDGE (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
IRON BRIDGE gained a bloodless success at Haydock when finishing alone to make it two from three since his switch to fences. Unbeaten in two outings over hurdles, he is a useful prospect who needs to be followed.
Race 5 No6 ETALON
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
ETALON has run into a couple of smart foes in Gunnery Officer at Warwick and Strong Leader at Aintree. He’s the go-to horse in this novices’ hurdle and should enjoy cutting back to two miles And score for top connections.
Race 6 No6 LINCOLN LYN
Trainer: Tom Gretton – Jockey: Lee Edwards
LINCOLN LYN a has to be respected getting a lot of weight from her main opponents in this mares’ handicap chase. She deservedly opened her account over fences at Fakenham on New Year’s Day and should be backed to consolidate on that effort.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No2 RING FENCED
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: William Carver
RING FENCED pulled off a 25-1 upset when equipped with first time cheek pieces at Kempton on his first outing of 2023. In the colours carried by Mill Reef he can prove it was no fluke by following-up.
Race 2 No5 ANIF (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
ANIF needs to overcome a tricky outside draw, but if managing that can swoop late in this race round a circuit of the racecourse. The gelding keeps taking away a cheque, but in order to win needs to time his challenge better.
Race 5 No5 MIDNIGHTATTHEOASIS (Nap)
Trainer: Charles Hills – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Hills has a good strike-rate with his small team for the all weather and MIDNIGHTATTHEOASIS can further boost it by taking out this maiden. The son of Oasis Dream has the luxury of the rail as he attempts to better a near miss at Chelmsford,many should make no mistake.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No5 SKYE BREEZE
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
SKYE BREEZE got the job done with plenty in hand over course and distance at the start of the month and is in a good place to complete a hat-trick from his revised mark. With few miles on his racing clock, the chestnut is one to follow.
Race 3 No3 DEEPDALE
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
The same trainer/jockey combo can hit the target with DEEPDALE who wasn’t beaten far when qualifying for a mark in De Bruyne’s race in early December. The daughter of Tasleet can raise her game now engaging on the handicap route, and is definitely worth a market check.
Race 4 No4 ENGELBERT (Nap)
Trainer: James Ferguson – Jockey: Theodore Ladd
It’s interesting that after three runs ENGELBERT is sticking to maidens. The Havana Grey gelding makes his first visit to the track following wind surgery and can realise the potential he showed in his homework last year.
