Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Doncaster, Newbury, Kelso, Kempton Park and Wolverhampton on 2 March 2024.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No7 SCOTCH ON DA ROCKS
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
Former winning pointer SCOTCH ON DA ROCKS skipped an opportunity last week and has to be respected on Rules debut for a yard with a high strike rate with its novices on Town Moor. He’s worked and schooled well in preparation for this belated first outing.
Race 3 No2 TOMMY’S OSCAR
Trainer: Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
TOMMY’S OSCAR travelled and jumped beautifully before his stamina ran out over two and a half miles at Musselburgh. Though far from disgraced in finishing fourth, he’s going to be back in his comfort zone operating over two miles on a track that should play to his strengths.
Race 4 No6 GAYE LEGACY (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Rimell – Jockey: Benjamin Poste
GAYE LEGACY has very good form in handicaps to bring to the table that can serve her in good stead. She impressed with her willing attitude when scoring in comfortable fashion at Newbury, and could know too much for her foes now on novice company.
Race 5 No4 ERNE RIVER (Each Way)
Trainer: Nick Kent – Jockey: Charlie Hammond
ERNE RIVER can prove the value answer to the featured Grimthorpe Chase. His figures in six visits to Doncaster read 111215. The nine-year-old comes alive here, and he’s strongly fancied to make an impact on a first crack at this race. Others to include in exotics wagering are Certainly Red and Java Point.
Race 7 No4 SKYTASTIC (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
SKYTASTIC has bombed out in both outings for his trainer but remains capable of turning back the clock. Winner of his first four career starts in bumpers and novice hurdles, he’s not managed to realise that early potential in hurdle or chase handicaps, but is worth an interest on this return from a short break.
NEWBURY
Race 1 No9 COPPERHEAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
COPPERHEAD is well handicapped on his novice form and keeps threatening to land a nice prize. He kept on well up the final hill to claim a minor cheque at Sandown and will have track, trip and ground to suit whilst getting weight from everything in the field.
Race 2 No9 HIGHSTAKESPLAYER (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
A bet I’m looking forward to is HIGHSTAKESPLAYER, who did us a good turn when scoring on his return to action at Kempton. He’s the winner of five of his last six starts over hurdles and fences and is unbeaten in three as a chaser. He jumped like a cat at Kempton and makes plenty of appeal operating from the base of the weights.
Race 5 No6 ZOFFEE
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Fergus Gregory
ZOFFEE proved a top performer in staying handicaps last summer, which included a near miss in the Chester Cup. Now back in a jumps yard, he has the ability to put behind him a lacklustre first run back over jumps at Taunton, and needs respecting.
Race 7 No6 WEDNESDAY ADAMS (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
WEDNESDAY ADAMS found only Jasmine Bliss her superior at Wetherby last month and the grey could have a lot more to offer as she reopposes on better terms. At the forecast prices, she represents a value bet to turn the tables on the winner.
KELSO
Race 2 No9 PERSONAL AMBITION
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
This Grade 2 novices’ hurdle can fall to PERSONAL AMBITION, who either side of a poor effort on heavy ground at Sandown has proved a smart winner. Having hacked up at Doncaster in January, he just needs to show that he can operate effectively on an undulating track.
Race 3 No16 SKYCUTTER (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Tristan Durrell
I shall be in the queue to back SKYCUTTER based on the dominating nature of his recent Carlisle success. It was a third earning run in as many start for the Skeltons, and augers for more to come.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No9 MAKE A SCENE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jonny Portman – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
Expert Eye filly MAKE A SCENE is one of the least exposed candidates for this three-year-old only handicap. Having opened her account in a Wolverhampton maiden she steps into handicaps off what can prove a tempting mark, although she will need to be on her A-game to repel Superb Force and Morning Light.
Race 6 No2 OCEAN HEIGHTS (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Aiden Brookes
OCEAN HEIGHTS made his intentions clear when going from gate to wire over course and distance a month ago. Off a 4lb higher mark, he’s again carded to take no prisoners, whilst confirming his liking for this track.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No2 MISS MOONSHINE (Nap)
Trainer: Rod Millman – Jockey: Morgan Cole
Outstrip filly MISS MOONSHINE is well drawn for this sprint around a left-handed turn. Having earned in each of her three outings this year she can prove more than a match for Neptune Legend and Blue Collar Lad.
Race 4 No11 SOAMES FORSYTE (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Lingfield scorer Goldsmith merits respect but at longer odds, SOAMES FORSYTE is favoured. He’s looked a much-improved horse since returning from a breathing operation with figures of 81132. One of those triumphs happened at this course, and he appeals as a horse that could have more to give.
