Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming from Doncaster, Warwick, Wolverhampton and Southwell on 23 January 2026.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No4 DIG DEEP
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
DIG DEEP faced a tall order on latest start at Ascot in a race won by Crystal Island but can be seen in a better light over this shorter trip and on slightly less testing ground. He’d previously finished second in two novice hurdles, and hails from a. Stable that’s always respected with its novice runners here.
Race 2 No6 ROADLESSTRAVELLED
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
ROADLESSTRAVELLED skipped a tougher race last week and can prove a better worth waiting for in this novice chase. After winning three times in succession over hurdles he underwhelmed in back to back races when raised in class, but fences have always promised to bring out the best in him. It would be no surprise to see him popular in the market.
Race 4 No2 GUARD DUTY
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Ben Jones
GUARD DUTY has twice been ridden with exaggerated waiting tactics this season and been unlucky not to win. This was especially true at Windsor earlier in the month when despite clipping a couple he came from last to challenge for the lead approaching the final flight. Beaten five lengths by Listentoyourheart, he should now be spot on and rates one of the best bets of the day.
Race 5 No1 JAMAICAINE (Nap)
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Harry Atkins
Such has been the ease with which JAMAICAINE dispatched her foes in successive visits to Hereford that it’s hard to see her progression being halted on a galloping track that should play just as well to her strengths. The mare has taken a hike in the weights but can readily outpoint her opponents under a conditional who is good value for his claim.
WARWICK
Race 3 No1 JOUR D’EVASION (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: David Bass
JOUR D’EVASION is operating at the peak of his powers and on a course that will suit his style of racing can complete a hat-trick. He’s a full 10lb higher for his latest success at Chepstow, but loves to get his feet into the ground. Furthermore this race has cut up in his favour.
Race 4 No5 LIBRE DE CHOEUR
Trainer: Clive Boultbee-Brooks – Jockey: Richard Patrick
LIBRE DE CHOEUR can provide a change of luck for a stable that’s had a winner but should have had more. The six-year-old has earned in three hurdling starts and put in a career best when chasing home Yellow Star over a shorter trip than today’s. He was going on well at the finish to suggest this slightly longer distance won’t faze him.
Race 7 No4 SLIPWAY
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Mr Samuel Scott
Veteran SLIPWAY looks the type that can do well on the hunter chase circuit. He makes his entrance after a break, but when last seen acquitted himself well to finish just out of the money in a competitive handicap chase at Uttoxeter.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No4 HUNTERIAN
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Study Of Man colt HUNTERIAN faces a penalised winner in OBJECTOR and is fancied to cash in on the 7lb he receives from that penalised opponent. The selection is the first of a string of chances for Billy Loughnane.
Race 4 No1 LOQUELLA (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
LOQUELLA looked ready to do her job and made no mistake on debut at Newcastle. The daughter of No Nay Never has gears and should follow up under a 7lb penalty.
Race 5 No1 PIPERSTOWN
Trainer: Kevin Frost – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
It could be Loughnane again, this time on PIPERSTOWN. The chestnut posted a cosy triumph over course and distance last week and should prove just as effective now contesting a classified (weaker) race.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No7 IMOLA
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
Calyx mare IMOLA comes here with all guns blazing for a trainer getting his feet on the ground after leaving South Africa as a multiple champion in the Western Cape. The mare did us a good turn when beating Amarachi over this course and distance before making a good fist of it when upped in class under a penalty at Wolverhampton. While in current mood she had the wherewithal to return to winning ways.
Race 4 No4 DOWN TO THE KID (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jason Hart
DOWN TO THE KID landed the Nap vote for us over this course and distance where he looked value for his margin of victory. Off a 3lb higher mark he can stage an action replay to follow-up.
