Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Lingfield and Newcastle on 22 March 2024.
NEWBURY
Race 1 No6 REGATTA DE BLANC (Nap)
Trainer: William Biddick – Jockey: Mr William Biddick
REGATTA DE BLANC looked a classy addition to the hunter-chase ranks when scoring at Taunton. The multiple winning pointer jumped brilliantly en route to that success, and is in the right hands to make his mark in this new division.
Race 2 No5 ATLANTA BRAVE
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
In a race that remembers the Newbury specialist and top class Brown Chamberlin, ATLANTA BRAVE can prove the answer. He’s knocked on the door the last twice including when chasing home Surrey Quest at this track last time. He has limited experience of jumping fences, and could easily improve on what he’s already achieved.
Race 3 No2 CLASSIC KING
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Another one that keeps finding one to beat him is CLASSIC KING, who has been thwarted on each of his last three starts, but by solid entities such as Queens Gamble and The Doyen Chief. This strong traveller should not be underestimated on a galloping track that should play to his strengths, and can stave off the challenge of The Newest One.
Race 4 No3 STEEL ALLY (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
STEEL ALLY got his act together at Wincanton where he justified solid market support. That was only his third run over jumps, and even though this is something of a baptism of fire for a first run in handicap company, he should be equal to it.
Race 6 No5 SON OF THE SOMME
Trainer: Toby Lawes – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
A change of scenery can assist SON OF THE SOMME on a return to fences. He looked on the way back when finishing second in a handicap hurdle at Doncaster since when he’s changed hands and moved stables. If the Surrey air has the desired effect, he’s more than capable of delivering from his mark.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No6 JAILBIRD
Trainer: George Scott – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
JAILBIRD didn’t enjoy the rub of the green when claiming a minor cheque on her handicap bow at Wolverhampton. She didn’t go unsupported and would have finished closer but for meeting traffic in that mile-and-a-quarter contest. This isn’t the strongest looking three-year-old only handicap, and she can put her best foot forward.
Race 8 No5 MOUNT MOGAN (Nap)
Trainer: Laura Mongan – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
MOUNT MOGAN went down in my book as one to be on next time when finishing out of the frame but beaten only three lengths into sixth at this course earlier in the month. He’s capable of leading over this 1400 metres trip, and is drawn to attack.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No10 BLACKLION (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Osborne – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
BLACKLION can justify the journey from Lambourn by opening his account from the bottom of the weights. The Sioux Nation gelding reacted positively to the fitting of a hood when finishing second on his handicap debut at Chelmsford. Not without support that day, he’s gone forward for it and is strongly fancied to recoup the losses.
Race 4 No7 STREAK LIGHTNING (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: James Sullivan
The flashy STREAK LIGHTNING never looked like justifying the market support that went his way on his seasonal reappearance here when racing wide of the principals compromised his chance. He appeals as a horse that is on a potentially winning mark, and given any luck in running should cause problems for multiple scorer Danielsflyer.
Race 5 No3 WATER OF LEITH (Each Way)
Trainer: Jim Goldie – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
WATER OF LEITH competes off the same mark as that afforded him when second at Wolverhampton a week ago. Having scored on his final start of 2023 at Southwell, the six-year-old seems to be operating within his comfort zone, and it will be a surprise if he’s not in the thick of the action at the finish.
