Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Plumpton, Warwick, Kempton and Newcastle on 22 January 2024.
PLUMPTON
Race 2 No2 EXTRAORDINARY MAN
Trainer: David Bridgwater – Jockey: Brendan Powell
This is a tight-knit affair but at the respective prices EXTRAORDINARY MAN could prove the value play against Guillaume and Gorcombe Moonshine. The selection has maintained a high level of form since returning to fences at the start of the season. The form of all three of his races has worked out, and he lost no caste in defeat when beaten by Keep Running at Taunton.
Race 3 No1 IDY WOOD (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
IDY WOOD missed out on a golden opportunity when his race fell to the elements last week. His earning run in a Cheltenham Grade 2 sets him apart from his foes, while his odds-on defeat at Hexham is excused as he pulled off a shoe. If he runs to his best he will take this in his stride.
WARWICK
Race 3 No2 SMILING GETAWAY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
SMILING GETAWAY proved easy to back, but nevertheless made no mistake on debut for her trainer at Ludlow before Christmas. She’s well regarded at Grange Farm and can keep up the good work in this more strongly contested heat. Both Break My Soul and Mistral Blue will attract a fair amount of support, but will need to be smart to lower the colours of my selection.
Race 7 No9 TEA CLIPPER (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Mr James King
Veteran TEA CLIPPER has acquitted himself well in handicap chases and is a very interesting addition to the hunter-chase ranks. Those earning runs have happened at Grade 1 tracks, and he should make no mistake on what can prove a spring board to better things ahead.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No10 POST RIDER (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Hector Crouch
POST RIDER wasn’t at her best when taking away a minor cheque at Chelmsford but has learned plenty from the run. The daughter of Postponed has a perfect draw from which to sit handily and can again trouble the judge in her match up with Aljezur and Colour Code.
Race 3 No7 CHARLATAN (Nap)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
One that jumps off the page is the lightly-raced CHARLATAN, all of whose turf form happened on Grade 1 tracks. The four-year-old was having just a fourth career start when finishing third on his all-weather debut at Chelmsford. Training issues meant it was his first outing in eight months, but he’s clearly going the right way, and can further progress to open his account.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No7 NEY
Trainer: Danny Brooke – Jockey: Andrew Mullen
NEY narrowly failed to land a gamble on his first run for Brooke, and a first run on sand, at Southwell. Equipped with first time cheek pieces he went down in a blanket finish. The former Irish-based gelding will have learned plenty from that and can recoup losses.
Race 3 No6 ONLY IN JAKARTA (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
ONLY IN JAKARTA ran into a couple of decent types when positing consecutive near misses at Thirsk last summer. The No Nay Never colt switches to sand having worked well on an all weather surface at home. He can prove too hot for the exposed Tourist to handle.
