Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Newbury , Bangor-on-dee , Kelso and Wolverhampton on 22 March 2025.
NEWBURY
Race 3 No9 BETTYS TIARA (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
This Grade 2 for distaffers can see BETTYS TIARA outperforming her double figure price. She has something to find with paper favourite JASMINE BLISS on at Ludlow, but her placed efforts either side of that are encouraging, while she could easily derive further benefit from a recent wind operation. She is three times the price of her rival, and makes a lot of sense as an Each Way alternative. SUNSET MARQUESA is another that catches the eye, and worth putting into exactas, trifectas and quartets on better ground that will assist her.
Race 7 No3 GOLDEN SON (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Now that the assessor has started to give him a chance, GOLDEN SON can deliver an improved performance to get into the shake-up in this three miles handicap chase. He’s not managed to show consistency since his arrival at Ditcheat from France, but I’m prepared to forgive him an underwhelming run at Kempton last time, and he could prove an unsuspecting danger to hat-trick seeking KING’S THRESHOLD.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 4 Bo3 LAZY SUNDAY
Trainer: Richard Mitford-Slade – Jockey: D Nolan
Veteran mare LAZY SUNDAY has finished second on each of her last three starts and deserves the cards to fall in her favour. Prior to that she made another podium finish on her first visit to this course, and on each occasion there was plenty of give in the ground. The drying conditions are therefore worrying, but after a generally warm week there is a forecast of rain which if arriving can serve to quickly put the ball back in her court.
Race 6 No8 CARRIG KATE (Nap)
Trainer: Oliver Greenall – Jockey: Henry Brooke
Westerner mare CARRIG KATE brings very solid form to the table for this maiden hurdle, which represents a considerable class drop for her. A winner and three times placed in as many outings in points in Ireland, she’s taken away a cheque on each of her five outings under Rules for Greenall, including when second in a Listed novice hurdle at Doncaster last time. That is outstandingly the best anything in the field has to offer.
KELSO
Race 2 No1 WYENOT (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Alice Stevens
At the premier meeting of a generally low key Saturday, WYENOT appeals as the best bet on the card. The Shropshire- based mare has the beating of two of her opponents on the book, while successive runs at Doncaster involving a clear cut success and getting placed in a Grade 3 race make her outstandingly the one to beat.
Race 3 No5 I AM MAX
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
With few miles on his racing clock, I AM MAX is one that has the progression required to do well in this handicap hurdle. He put in a career best when second at Haydock last time which was only his fourth appearance of the season, and he can prove the one to beat although I shall have a saver on GALAHAD THREEPWOOD, who is definitely over priced if near to the forecast 20-1.
Race 6 No1 ROCHEVAL
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Patrick Wadge
With Russell’s stable running nicely into form ahead of Aintree, ROCHEVAL rates a definite bet in this novices’ hurdle. He was the winner of his only bumper at that course last season, since when he’s hardly put a foot wrong in four outings over hurdles, scoring twice last season and finishing fourth in a Grade 2 on his reappearance and second in his first handicap here last month. Not only is he operating in calmer waters, but the drop back to two and a half miles should also benefit him.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 4 No1 SUPREME SOVEREIGN
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Jason Watson
SUPREME SOVEREIGN upset the applecart when downing a well regarded foe on his first career start at Southwell, making him the go-to horse in this restricted novice. The longer trip should hold no perils for him as he attempts to remain unbeaten under a penalty.
Race 5 No2 HAVANA JOY (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Jason Watson
HAVANA JOY provides another good winning chance for the Hills stable in the restricted maiden fillies’ stakes. She gained useful experience of Dunstall Park when second in a six furlong novice last month, and is bred to enjoy stretching out to 1400 metres.
