Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Doncaster, Newbury, Bangor-on-Dee and Newcastle on 23 March 2024.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No5 KNIGHT
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Harry Davies
The first race of the new Flat season in the UK can see KNIGHT showing that class will be out and teeing himself up for a productive year. The four-year-old put in a career-best when second in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood’s and holds Charyn on that running. Although unable to get his head in front in 2023, he can now achieve it with the addition of a visor.
Race 2 No7 GENERAL GORDON
Trainer: Adrian Nicholls – Jockey: Paddy Mathers
Nicholls often pitches a speedy type into the Brocklesby Stakes and I shall afford his GENERAL GORDON a market check. The Invincible Army colt might have plenty of stamina on the dam’s page of his chart, but if near his forecast odds is worth tickling.
Race 5 No2 JOHAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
JOHAN gave Mick Channon his final big race winner in the first leg of the Spring Double in 2022 and was also responsible for Jack Channon’s biggest triumph when taking out the Golden Mile at Goodwood in that trainer’s rookie season last year. A horse that doesn’t stand too much racing, he’s been readied with this race as his sole line of attack and can benefit from the return to his saddle of De Sousa. He’s also been handed a middle draw, which gives his pilot options of which way to head should the field split. However, with headwinds of 30mph forecast that may not happen. AWAAL is closely matched with the selection from Goodwood and could also have a say, while last year’s winner MIGRATION returns with plenty to recommend him, as he’s a horse that invariably shows his best when fresh. The one I’m most worried about however is Irish raider CHAZZESMEE, who only entered calculations when successful in the Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh last week, and has to be a danger to all under a 5lb penalty.
Prediction: 1st JOHAN, 2nd Chazzesmee, 3rd Migration, 4th Awaal
Race 6 No3 HARPER’S FERRY (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Lope De Vega colt HARPER’S FERRY made a pleasing debut when second at Newmarket last autumn, form that stands out in an interesting maiden. He is going to enjoy stretching out in distance this afternoon, and is strongly fancied to open his account.
NEWBURY
Race 1 No6 NEXT LEFT (Each Way)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
It will take a fine training performance for NEXT LEFT to take this novices’ hurdle after an enforced absence of well over two years, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he achieves it. Skelton will have the eight-year-old as fit as he needs to be as he tries to revisit solid efforts on all three of his outings over jumps from a different stable.
Race 2 No1 SPIRITS BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
Nailor is riding with the confidence of a man inspired, having landed the Midlands National on Beauport and a good chase at Wetherby on Top Of The Bill. He is the regular partner of SPIRITS BAY, who is shouldered with top weight in this novices’ handicap hurdle, but following clear cut successes at Exeter is deserving of it. He’s 8lb higher than for his latest triumph at the Haldon circuit but was value for the win, and can prove to be another arrow in the quiver of his jockey
Race 4 No2 SMILING GETAWAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Equally interesting from this stable is SMILING GETAWAY. She’s up against a couple of favourites that have done us favours through the winter, but has always appealed to me as one that would go well in this Grade 2 feature. Her third to Springtime Promise at Sandown cost her an unbeaten record over hurdles, but she was doing her best at the finish and on only a fourth outing over jumps today should have more to give. PARTY LINES is considered a live threat following dominating triumphs on her last two outings, while ALFIE’S PRINCESS and LARCHMONT LASS also need respecting in a very good betting heat.
Prediction: 1st SMILING GETAWAY, 2nd Party Lines, 3rd Alfie’s Princess, 4th Larchmont Lass
Race 7 No5 DEMACHINE (Each Way)
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Liam Harrison
One of the younger candidates for the concluding veterans’ chase, DEMACHINE is having only a second start of the season and will strip fresher than the majority of his opponents. He disappointed at Doncaster back in January but is a good horse when right. Out of sorts on the Town Moor, he is dangerous to discount at forecast double-figure odds.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 1 No1 JUNGLE JACK
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Multiple hurdles winner JUNGLE JACK looked to be returning to form when going down in a tight finish at Kelso and is now back on a course at which he was successful in both novice and handicap hurdle company. He’s not a horse that stands much racing, but can add to a career record that’s seen him triumph in five of eleven starts under Rules.
Race 3 No4 MONTGOMERY
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
MONTGOMERY came home unchallenged at Leicester in the manner of a fast improving chaser. He’s in a better race today, but with very few miles on his racing clock could stretch his sequence while the easy underfoot conditions remain.
Race 5 No2 GRAND ALBERT (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
GRAND ALBERT was the only one to threaten the smart Leader In The Park at Doncaster which was a fair step up from his first offering over hurdles. He is closely matched with Guard The Moon on bumper form, but the latter was beaten when odds-on here last time, and may struggle to confirm his superiority.
NEWCASTLE
Race 5 No5 TEES DOUGE
Trainer: Adrian Nicholls – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
TEES DOUGE is an infrequent winner, but with Doyle a positive addition to his claims, as well as the arrival of a first-time hood, the gelding can take the measure of ZIGGY’S Missile. The latter seeks to complete a hat-trick, but might struggle to do so giving him 18lbs.
Race 6 No2 SIOBHANBROGAN (Nap)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
SIOBHANBROGAN faces an unbeaten rival in Filly One but gets the vote with Doyle in her saddle for the first time. The daughter of Starspangledbanner landed the odds laid on her in comfortable fashion at Wolverhampton and has progressed from that pleasing display.
