Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Kempton Park, Uttoxeter, Fontwell Park, Newcastle and Wolverhampton on 18 March 2023
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No10 SCARFACE (Each Way)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
The giant SCARFACE was pulled up on what was a baptism of fire for his handicap debut in the Lanzarote here back in January, but then ran well to trouble the judge in a Grade2 novice hurdle at Haydock. He’s needed time to strengthen into his frame and shouldn’t be underestimated now back in a handicap at a venue where he’s gained useful match practice.
Race 3 No7 ROUGE VIF (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington- Jockey: Daryl Jacob
A race that is something of a poor man’s Plate can go to ROUGE VIF, who has hidden his light under a bushel for much of the season but might now raise his game. After a spell hurdling he didn’t run badly put back over fences behind Malystic at Doncaster, while he’s undeniably well treated on the best of his form when originally with this trainer.
Race 5 No1 SOUTHERN SAM
Trainer: Richard Bandey – Jockey: Harry Bannister
SOUTHERN SAM can make light of his welter burden and endorse the promise of a very encouraging run in defeat at Wetherby. The nine-year-old chased home a good yardstick in French Paradoxes. Placed in each of his four races over fences, he has scope for progression as a chaser, part of which can manifest itself today.
UTTOXETER
Race 2 No1 UP FOR PAROL
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
On the evidence of a cracking run on his return from a protracted absence UP FOR PAROL holds good claims under top weight in this two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle. Equally you need to forgive him a howler of a run at Carlisle, which might have happened because it came too soon after Kempton.
Race 3 No12 TRELAWNE
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
TRELAWNE is the sort of upwardly mobile individual his trainer excels with, and one that looks attractively weighted towards the base of the handicap in this three-miler. The seven-year-old returns from well over three months off, but has shown in the past that he goes well fresh. In an interesting heat he can repel Collectors Item and Lord Snootie.
Race 4 BOULTON GROUP MIDLANDS GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE
No1 IWILLDOIT (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
IWILLDOIT has lived up to his name by remaining unbeaten over the past couple of seasons when his triumphs have included the Welsh National and latterly the Classic Chase at Warwick. He’s an old fashioned stayer who jumps well and likes to get his toe into the ground, and though running off his highest ever mark is strongly fancied to deliver in a race in which The Galloping Bear, Major Dundee and Guetapan Collonges can also figure.
Race 5 No4 SUPER SURVIVOR
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Fresh from its victory with You Wear It Well at Cheltenham, the Snowden/Sheehan combination can strike again with SUPER SURVIVOR in this long distance novices’ handicap chase. The selection returns from a mid season break after opening his seasonal account at Chepstow and gets a narrow decision over Our Jet and Iron Bridge who can also figure.
Race 6 No1 FRANIGANE (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Whittington- Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
FRANIGANE failed to menace at this course at the end of January and has work to do if he’s to beat Tip Top Mountain. However, that rival blew out badly in a subsequent outing while Franigane has indicated in his work that he could raise his game.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 7 No4 PRINCE DES FICHAUX (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Shane Quinlan
I hope PRINCE DES FICHAUX proves a bet worth waiting for in the finale, and granted his good efforts in all three starts this season he can be. Front running tactics may serve him well around this tight, figure-of-eight course.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No8 RELKADAM
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Alan Doyle
Connections of RELKADAM are persevering with him over two and a half miles, and the way the chestnut races suggests he wants it. It’s hard to know the strength of his latest run at Wetherby but he remains handily weighted and can perform above the standard his odds suggest.
Race 4 No9 NICEANDEASY
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
While respect is paid to veteran Blaklion, NICEANDEASY is the sort that can pop up at a working man’s price if things work out for him. Carded to go off as one of the outsiders in this field, he could be involved if his often suspect jumping holds up.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 7 No10 VICTORIA FALLS (Nap)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: William Carver
VICTORIA FALLS opened her account over this course and distance at the start of the month and looks an attractive proposition to follow-up,off her revised mark, at the main expense of Roscioli.
