Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday's racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Newcastle, Wincanton and Wolverhampton on 8 April 2024.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No3 CYNOSURE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Kevin Stott
CYNOSURE showed an aptitude for Polytrack when placed here and at Kempton in the autumn, form which sets the bar for his rivals to aim at in this novice. The No Nay Never gelding can open his account at the expense of penalised Winterfair.
Race 7 No4 CIARA PEARL
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Jim Crowley
CIARA PEARL is not bred to get a mile and a quarter, but having looked at ease in all three starts over a mile could prove an exception to the rule. The Twilight Son filly was beaten inches on her debut at Bath last summer and came back to score over a mile here and then go down in a close finish with Reel Prospect at Newcastle. She is an interesting addition to the handicap ranks.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No5 LOYAL TOUCH
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: ArichieYoung
LOYAL TOUCH was unable to build on a bountiful juvenile season when failing to score in four outings in 2023, but he came out of the wilderness to gamely deliver over this course and distance last month. Now that he’s rediscovered that winning feeling the No Nay Never gelding can consolidate.
Race 5 No11 NORTHERN CRACKSMAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Patronage and Loubiere are closely matched after engaging in a tight finish here last month but at longer odds, NORTHERN CRACKSMAN is preferred. He’s run well to claim a cheque in each of his three starts this year and now enjoys Hollie Doyle in his saddle for the first time as well as the addition of blinkers.
Race 6 No8 MIDNITE STORM (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
MIDNITE STORM twice rattled the woodwork last season, narrowly failing to deliver at Leicester and Redcar. Placed in his other two outings at two, he can play the experience card to good effect against the well-touted newcomer Admired Hope.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No5 NAVAJO INDY (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Symonds – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
NAVAJO INDY hasn’t done much wrong since landing a Newbury bumper last November, going close in all three starts over hurdles in a select campaign. Testing conditions hold no perils for the Nap, who can deservedly take the spoils.
Race 4 No1 HARDY DU SEUIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
HARDY DU SEUIL is interesting returned to hurdles following a fruitless trip to Cheltenham. In the Grand Annual Challenge Cup he became disappointed after a couple of false starts and completely missed the break when the field was eventually dispatched. For a horse that likes to be competitive, it was game over, and his poor showing is forgivable. He had solid form in the soft over hurdles last season, making him the possible winner of this if ridden enterprisingly.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No3 TAMARIS (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Aidan Keeley
TAMARIS was a comfortable scorer over this course and distance last week when looking value for at least the 4lb penalty he has to carry. The dual-purpose performer can preserve his unbeaten record for Owen even though this is a better race.
Race 6 No2 DAWN OF LIBERATION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Luke Morris
DAWN OF LIBERATION was a very decent three-year-old who completely lost the plot last year, finding it hard to get out of his own way. However, he’s earned on both starts since joining Carr and appears to be enjoying a change of scenery. This is only the five-year-old’s third run on the all-weather and a first visit to Dunstall Park, giving credence to the view that he can take care of business.
