Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Hereford, Plumpton, Huntingdon and Wolverhampton on 30 January 2023.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No3 SPRING MEADOW
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Atlanta Brave sets the bar for the others to aim at in this interesting opener, but could have trouble trying to repel SPRING MEADOW, who ran better than his finishing position suggests when fifth to Ginny’s Destiny at Warwick and had been impressive in a Ffos Las contest that has worked out on his only other run over hurdles.
Race 3 No3 GARDENER (Nap)
Trainer: Alex Hales -Jockey: Kielan Woods
GARDENER is the most interesting runner on this card as he sticks to the novice route after his handicap hurdle debut was taken away by the cold snap. He was a most authoritative scorer in a good race at Leicester, and has a great chance to follow-up in a race where Kenzai Warrior will make the market for him.
Race 5 No5 ONLY THE BOLD
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
ONLY THE BOLD was dealt a hammer blow when raised 10lb for his chase debut success at Bangor. It was also his first run out of Pond House, and revived memories of how horses of similar ilk were treated after impressing on their first run for the stable when Martin Pipe was in charge. Cheek pieces combined with a tongue tie helped the gelding raise his game, and he should be backed to follow up in spite of his weights hike.
Race6 No 10 MAGIC SAINT
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Miss Olive Nicholls
Envious Editor has made hay in this division but faces a professional rival in MAGIC SAINT that can prove more than a match for him. The selection represents the champion trainer and his daughter and unless his ability has waned considerably he should be too strong for his penalised foe.
PLUMPTON
Race 4 No5 SIROBBIE
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Brendan Powell
The versatile SIROBBIE posted his best run of the season when second at Ludlow last time and looks on a fair mark to go one better on a tight track that will suit his style of racing. The visored gelding can repel the challenge of unexposed Betterforeveryone.
Race 5 No2 SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE ( Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Adam Wedge
It will require a fine training performance for SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE ago take away a cheque in this long-distance handicap chase, but he was ready to go when the last meeting was cancelled here and his trainer was afforded more time to get him ready from an absence that reaches back to March 2021, when he finished tailed off but came back nursing an injury. His previous efforts at this course saw him notch a win and a second over fences, and as he’s been showing some sparkle at home he’s worth a speculative bet.
HUNTINGDON
Race 2 No1 SHELDON (Nap)
Trainer: Seamus Mullins – Jockey: Mr G Nolan
SHELDON has prevailed on every occasion he’s completed the course since being sent chasing. After a couple of falls he got his career back on track with an authoritative triumph at Exeter in New Year’s Day and he’s capable of notching a further success off a 4lb higher mark.
Race 5 No5 LOUD AS LIONS ( Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Symonds – Jockey: David Bass
LOUD AS LIONS comes back from a fourth wind operation with a point to prove, but the keen going gelding is well handicapped if it’s worked the oracle and can trouble the judge at long odds.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No1 BORN RULER
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
BORN RULER has the points on the board from a form perspective and unless newcomer Kangaroo is useful should open his account. The Kingman colt attracted support on his second start at Newcastle only to be beaten into third in a tight finish, but that was a tactical race. He should know more and get the job done.
Race 4 No2 GIFTED GOLD (Nap)
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
GIFTED GOLD is a fascinating contender for this fillies’ handicap after scoring twice from three outings in a stop-start career. The four-year-old returned from an almost500-day enforced absence to easily land some good bets at Southwell, and will be very hard to beat if building on that.
Race 7 No11 CALCUTTA DREAM
Trainer: Mick Easterby – Jockey: Billy Garritty
CALCUTTA DREAM has a good draw and wears first-time cheek pieces in this attempt to win a third race from his last four starts. He’s one of four that bring winning form from their last run to the table, but could benefit from a switch to a track where he’s only run once before.
