Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Southwell, Carlisle, and Wolverhampton on 17 February 2025.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No1 SALT ROCK (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
SALT ROCK is a horse on the march and with a great chance of completing a fine hat-trick and remaining unbeaten over fences. A hallmark of his successes at Hereford and Doncaster was his slick jumping, and when scoring on the Town Moor he had the prize in his pocket a long way from home. While the handicapper has had his say, the seven-year-old appeals as the best bet of the day.
Race 3 No1 IN THE AGE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
Point winner IN THE AGE showed a good attitude to get the job done on his debut under Rules at this track. Under a penalty he can back up that victory, and at the expense of the only other winner in the field, Nazare.
Race 4 No11 WOLF MOON
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
WOLF MOON outperformed his 50-1 odds when second to German Derby winner Palladium at Huntingdon. Considering the high reputation of the horse that beat him, by a distance of just two lengths, Wolf Moon should prove very hard to beat and is preferred to Beau Quali.
Race 5 No8 OWL OF ATHENS
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Conor Ring
OWL OF ATHENS made abnormal progression to score easily at Uttoxeter, landing a decent touch for his connections in the process. He’s racing off an 11lb higher mark but can show with a follow-up success that he’s still ahead of it.
CARLISLE
Race 1 No3 CEST DIFFERENT (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
Although he’s yet to trouble the judge and hasn’t attracted a bean of support in three outings over jumps, CEST DIFFERENT is a well bred individual who will receive good assistance from the saddle. He can only be a speculative advice, with the emphasis on watching the market.
Race 2 No3 SHOMEN UCHI
Trainer: Sam Thomas- Jockey: Dylan Johnston
SHOMEN UCHI won a bumper and a maiden hurdle before being sidelined with an injury. He’s returning from a two year absence but has schooled well, while turning out on the long journey from Herefordshire fit enough to do himself justice.
Race 4 No3 FORTUNATE MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
This stiff course should play to the strengths of FORTUNATE MAN, who showed he has taken well to jumping fences when chinned on chase debut at this course by a horse that went on to better things. Two subsequent good efforts show the selection to be in equally fine form, and he’s reacted positively to the cheek pieces he wears today.
Race 6 No2 MAVIS PIKE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: James Turner
MAVIS PIKE put in a gritty display to regain the winning habit on her latest start and looks to have been found a good opportunity to follow-up on the long haul from Gloucestershire. The Pether’s Moon mare looked in good order in her winding up work for this at Grange Farm.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No8 KINTBURY
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: William Carver
Any support for Saxon Warrior filly KINTBURY would interest me for a trainer with a good record with his runners here. In order to make a winning start to her career she will need to deny Bryant, who has to be respected based on a pleasing first run at a Grade 1 course, although that was on the grass.
Race 8 No1 MUMAYAZ (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: William Carson
The Carroll stable is enjoying a hot streak with MUMAYAZ a major contributor. Under a 5lb penalty for his cosy Southwell triumph last week the six-year-old can complete a fine hat-trick.
Race 9 No3 CHARLIE MASON
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: William Carson
CHARLIE MASON notched a fully deserved first success of 2025 over course and distance at the end of last week. That was his first visit to Dunstall Park for 20 months, and it makes sense for him to come back again as the pick in an admittedly tricky nightcap.
