Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Plumpton, Ayr and Wolverhampton on Monday 27 February 2023.
PLUMPTON
Race 1 No8 TAPLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Suzi Smith – Jockey: Charlie Hammond
TAPLEY was ultimately well beaten when second to General Medrano at Fontwell but nevertheless travelled well on that first attempt at two and a quarter miles. The grey should enjoy dropping back to the minimum distance and can provide connections with a welcome winner at their local course.
Race 4 No3 BLAME THE GAME
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Mr Freddie Gordon
Representing a trainer who can do little wrong with his runners on the Sussex circuit, BLAME THE GAME can back up his success over this course and distance last spring. His subsequent three outings over fences have yielded successes at Fontwell and Doncaster and a narrow defeat returned here in the New Year. If turning up in similar mood he will be hard to stop.
Race 6 No3 INVICTUS DE BRION (Each Way)
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Nick Schofield
If there’s a plot in the nightcap it could be INVICTUS DE BRION, whose forays over hurdles since landing a bumper here last September have so far yielded little. He’s been beaten an aggregate of 160 lengths in those races but now in a handicap may well do better, especially if his trainer has pinpointed the reason for his regression.
AYR
Race 1 No9 SALADAM
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
SALADAM ran well in his only point and has troubled the judge in each of three outings over hurdles. He suffered the ignominy of being turned over at 3-1 ON here in early January but can put that setback behind him with long-distance traveller Hold Up La Colmine the chief threat.
Race 2 No1 BASS ROCK (Nap)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
BASS ROCK looks the type of novice that could go well in a race like the Grand Annual, but if he’s to pursue that course he needs to regain the winning thread in this clash with Richmond Lake. The Nap looked a natural for chasing when scoring at Carlisle and ran into a well-treated rival when just outgunned by Grandads Cottage at Wetherby. He should enjoy this step back to the minimum trip.
Race 5 No14 SO MANY ROADS
Trainer: Donald Whillans – Jockey: Craig Nichol
The unexposed SO MANY ROADS gets the percentage call following a breakthrough win here in early January. It was a big step up on previous efforts on handicap debut, and suggests the six-year-old could have more in his locker.
Race 6 No3 JESSIEMAC (Each Way)
Trainer: Iain Duncan – Jockey: P Wadge
JESSIEMAC left his best until late when staying on for a consolation cheque behind On We Go here at the start of the month. It was easily her best run of the season, and should have made her cherry ripe to make this her first win in just over a year.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No3 SARACEN HEAD (Nap)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Showcasing colt SARACEN HEAD can take advantage of the 7lb he receives from penalised market rival Rabaah. Backed to open his account at Newcastle, he went down in a close photo, and though this trip looks the minimum for him he can gun down his main foe.
Race 4 No6 KITBAG (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Franny Norton
If there’s a bit of value in this spring handicap it could be KITBAG. Though out with the washing on his last three outings the Territories gelding has suffered from poor draws, but now freshened up by a short break he’s capable of taking away a cheque.
