Neil Morrice provides tips for Thursday’s British race meetings at Wetherby, Southwell and Newcastle on 27/01/2022.
WETHERBY – 27/01/2022
Race 3 No5 SON OF THE SOMME (Each Way)
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Henry Brooke
SON OF THE SOMME has knocked on the door on both handicap assignments over jumps since joining his trainer. On each occasion at Doncaster and Sedgefield the gelding was denied in photos. Those credentials stand him in good stead in this more competitive heat, in which he holds solid win and place claims.
Race 5 No1 LUPUS REGEM (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Aidan Coleman
The best bet on this card is LUPUS REGEM. An impressive winner of a bumper on only start for his previous trainer, the Nap has attracted market support on each of his two outings over jumps, unseating at Uttoxeter and making no mistake at Newcastle last time. He is effectively unbeaten under Rules, and can take this assignment in his stride on the way to better things.
Race 6 No1 SHOLOKJACK
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
Former Irish winning pointer SHOLOKJACK remained unbeaten when making his debut under Rules and scoring in cosy fashion at Leicester. While that wasn’t the hottest of contests, the gelding could do no more than put it to bed in clean and decisive fashion, and in a similarly uncompetitive heat today he should go back-to-back.
SOUTHWELL – 27/01/2022
Race 2 No5 KING OF YORK (Each Way)
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: Kieren O’Neill
Godolphin’s Symbol Of Light will be a warm order for this three-year-old only handicap but a value option is KING OF YORK. There hasn’t been a penny for the selection on his two all-weather starts since joining his trainer, but having acquitted himself well and troubling the judge this talented individual can now raise his game and open his account.
Race 3 No12 WHITEANDBLUE (Each Way)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Gianluca Sanna
WHITEANDBLUE can play the experience card to telling effect in this maiden. The Fountain Of Youth filly has taken home a cheque in each of her three outings since being switched to sand after twice going close on grass. Her rider has not helped by putting up overweight the last twice, and should certainly be a man on a mission after connections have chosen to stick by him.
Race 4 No9 TOMMY DE VITO (Nap)
Trainer: Charles Hills – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
TOMMY DE VITO jumps off the page as the likely winner of this sprint handicap round a left-handed bend. The Dandy Man gelding is 212 for his runs on the all-weather and has prevailed on this Tapeta surface. He thwarted a big gamble on Run To Freedom when last seen at Kempton in the autumn. Though his appearances are chequered, he’s a real talent who is ready for this first run of the year and should prove hard to beat.
Race 5 No4 STEELRIVER (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Shane Kelly
Veteran STEELRIVER had Kelly returned to the plate when third over course and distance earlier in the month. It was a step in the right direction for the gelding, who is a sporting bet from a cracking draw to make this a first triumph for 18 months.
NEWCASTLE – 27/01/2022
Race 7 No2 BLAZING HOT (Nap)
Trainer: Grant Tuer – Jockey: Christian Howarth
On a tricky card the advice is to wait for BLAZING HOT. Tuer has done well with his charge through the winter with a tally of two successes and a couple of places from only five outings. Furthermore, the Nap looked better the further he travelled when landing some good bets at this course last time, and is in the mood to stage a repeat.
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