Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Fontwell, Southwell and Newcastle on 18 March 2024.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 5 No1 MISTER MURCHAN (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Rowe – Jockey: James Davies
MISTER MURCHAN doesn’t often find as much when coming off the bridle as it looks like he will. The latest example happened at Lingfield where he narrowly lost out to Hunter Legend, but the opposition today is not as strong, while a return to a track where he’s won over fences can also prove beneficial. He’s the only bet on a very tricky card for punting.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No2 LIVIN ON LUCO (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Mickael Nolan
LIVIN ON LUCO ran into a talented foe when beaten by Jackpot D’Athou at Taunton after gamely opening his account under Rules at Chepstow. He’s a neat and agile individual who should enjoy this easy track, as well as the cut in the ground.
Race 6 No2 FLYING FORTUNE
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: Sean Bowen
Sean Bowen has work to do to close the gap in the jockeys’ title race with Harry Cobden, but he can claw one back on his father’s FLYING FORTUNE in this two and a half mile handicap hurdle. The selection was a dual bumper winner before earning on one of her three starts in novice hurdles. With so few miles on her racing clock there should be more to come now she’s trying her luck in handicaps.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No3 GOLDEN RAINBOW
Trainer: Rebecca Menzies – Jockey: Phil Dennis
GOLDEN RAINBOW brings very good recent course form to the table, having won and finished second here on his last two outings. Those efforts have seen him take a big step forward from previous offerings, and if turning up in similar form will be hard to beat.
Race 5 No1 CATEJAN (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Unless one of the five newcomers in this novice is well above average, CATEJAN should make no mistake. He had a few issues last season and was unfortunate not to win at Salisbury when denied by the width of a well-smoked cigarette. He’s looked happy in his work at West Ilsley, and can make the long journey from Berkshire to the North East pay off.
Race 7 No1 MAN OF A’AN
Trainer: Liam Bailey – Jockey: J Garritty
MAN OF A’AN claimed a cheque on each of his three starts on turf including in handicap company at Newbury. On debut for a new trainer he can make this a successful first outing on Tapeta, with the lightly-weighted Zumaaty his main barrier to success.
