Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Uttoxeter , Kempton Park , Newcastle , Southwell and Wolverhampton on 15 March 2025.
UTTOXETER
Race 1 No13 HIDDEN HISTORY (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
On a first run for the Skeltons, HIDDEN HISTORY takes the eye. The lightly-raced gelding has twice received hefty support and on those occasions won at Lingfield and finished second at Fontwell. In the colours of the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate he is well worth a market check and could be a blot on the handicap.
Race 3 JENNINGS BET MIDLANDS GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE
No1 MR VANGO (Each Way)
Trainer: Sara Bradstock – Jockey: Jack Tudor
MR VANGO slugged it out to win the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock and now competes from his highest ever mark in pursuit of what would be a fine hat-trick. The nine-year-old might not find the ground as testing as he likes but it can’t be denied he’s in the form of his life, while he will stay every yard of the four and a quarter miles. TANGANYIKA takes a similar profile to post for Venetia Williams and could also do with some rain. He’s young and progressive, and and was completely on top at the finish of his latest start at Carlisle. Consistency is the watchword of APPLE AWAY, who following a sequence of near misses would be a deserving winner for Lucinda Russell. ANGLERS CRAG was a late defector from the Eider Chase after getting loose before the start. While Newcastle brings out the best in him he’s fairly handicapped for a big run as long as the ground doesn’t dry up. PASSING WELL finished an honourable third to KNOCKANORE in that marathon, and with one success and eight placings from his ten outings over fences is a must for exacta, trifecta and quartet perms. Knockanore himself bolted up in the Newcastle race on his first attempt at the trip, and if in similar mood has to be seriously considered.
Prediction: 1st MR VANGO, 2nd Knockanore, 3rd Passing Well, 4th Apple Away, 5th Tanganyika, 6th Anglers Crag
Race 5 No4 ROYAL RAMBLER (Each Way)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
This looks a warm novice and any support for THE JUKEBOX KID might prove significant. However, a tad more solid are the claims of ROYAL RAMBLER whose colours were carried to success by Beauport on this day 12 months ago. The selection upped his game with Burke on board for the first time when opening his account in a Chepstow maiden hurdle, and he’s a very interesting proposition on his first handicap assignment.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No5 MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE had his chasing career put on hold after three non completions in the autumn, and has subsequently run well in three competitive handicap hurdles. He’s a good jumper who is likely to appreciate a return to a smaller field.
Race 3 No5 CLASSIC KING
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Ben Jones
CLASSIC KING didn’t make the cut for the Coral Cup but that can prove a boon as he teams up with Ben Jones for the first time. A chancy jumper of a fence, he’s fared well since returning to hurdles with a smooth win at Doncaster and a staying on third to Altobelli at Ascot. He’s run well,in defeat on each of his previous visits to this course.
Race 4 No6 BAD
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
BAD did us a good turn when coming home unchallenged over this course and distance last month, having fallen while still going well enough on his previous start at Ascot. That overdue first triumph under Rules can act as a apur to the grey, who still looks to be on a good enough mark to consolidate.
Race 6 No1 SLIPWAY (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
SLIPWAY has switched from the Cross-Country race at Cheltenham and it can prove a wise move. The ten-year-old gained a confidence boost when sneaking home on his first run since a breathing operation, and on a return to hurdles, at this course last month. He won this race in 2024 and has a good chance of following up, especially if leading.
Race 7 No7 MAJOR DINO
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Ben Jones
It’s on the cards that one of the newcomers will prevail in the concluding bumper. I shall keep an eye on the betting for support for MAJOR DINO, who has shown promise in his work for a trainer who can produce a decent bumper horse.
NEWCASTLE
Race 6 No6 HALFWAY HOUSE LAD (Nap)
Trainer: Maurice Barnes – Jockey: Charlie Price
Few chasers have impressed as much with their jumping as HALFWAY HOUSE LAD when he finished third at Wetherby. He took lengths of his rivals, and after being collared rallied gamely on the run in. His only success over fences happened at this course, and he’s a bet to look forward to, getting plenty of weight from his opponents.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No7 BAY OF NAPLES
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Andrea Pinna
BAY OF NAPLES posted a pleasing run on his second outing back from a breathing operation. It should have teed up the nine-year-old perfectly to make this a first success on the AW in over four years.
Race 7 No1 DICKO THE LEGEND (Nap)
Trainer: Liam Bailey – Jockey: Tom Marquand
DICKO THE LEGEND meets Temple Bruer on better terms than when second to that foe three weeks ago and although drawn outside him can take his revenge as the best bet on the card.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No2 PLAGE DE HAVRE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
PLAGE DE HAVRE looked very smart when scoring at Newcastle last month, and though handed a 9lb hike in the weights can make short work of his opens on the way to better things.
