Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Haydock, Musselburgh, Carlisle and Wolverhampton on 8 April 2023.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 No6 NEON MOON (Each Way)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
NEON MOON has been grazing the woodwork but this strong stayer now gets his best chance to excel on a first visit to the Haydock fences. Following near-misses at Taunton and Ascot the seven-year-old failed to convert in a novices’ handicap chase at Newbury, but may have been unsuited by the small field. He should enjoy the conditions today, and can halt the winning streak of top weight Mucho Mas.
Race 4 No2 DOCPICKEDME (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Whittington- Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
DOCKPICKEDME has been a standard bearer for his trainer with victories at Southwell and Doncaster and prevailed on all but one of the occasions he’s completed, having been switched back to hurdles from fences. The handicapper has had his say, but in current mood the chestnut should again get into the shake-up, with Jatiluwih and Midnightreflection others to include in exotic wagering on this ultra-competitive heat.
Race 5 No10 SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Since returning from the injury list SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE has gradually worked his way back into form, whilst his trainer broke a two year barren spell with a winner last week. The ten-year-old was ridden by Bellamy for the first time when showing up well for a long way at Warwick, and if progressing could earn at a fancy price.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No5 THE GATEKEEPER
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
THE GATEKEEPER looks to have put the problems that affected him after Royal Ascot 2021 behind him with a clear cut delivery at Newcastle and an even better display when fifth in a Class 2 on heavy ground at Doncaster. He was found wanting only in the closing stages of that race up the straight mile, and it makes sense that his trainer now pulls him back to a more suitable seven furlongs.
Race 3 No5 CAME FROM THE DARK (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
A horse that has threatened to win off a fair mark, CAME FROM THE DARK holds strong claims to earn in this valuable sprint. The grey was a Group 3 winner last year, and though unable to back it up could make his class count, as he’s won when returning from a break in the past.
Race 6 No1 EY UP IT’S MAGGIE (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Coyle – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
EY UP IT’S MAGGIE did us a good turn when scoring under the exciting apprentice Loughnane at Doncaster last week. The Equiano mare makes a quick return to the course under a 5lb penalty, but this is wiped out by her pilot’s claim, and the combination can demonstrate with another victory that they are the best bet on this card.
CARLISLE
Race 3 No2 GRAIN D’OUDAIRIES (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
In the colours of JP McManus, GRAIN D’OUDAIRIES can successfully return from a mid-season break. The seven-year-old opened his account in good style at Bangor, has scope for improvement and should resist three other last time out winners in an interesting contest.
Race 6 No4 TFOU
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
With less experience than his foes, TFOU is the one that can go forward and sufficiently so to take out this two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase. The seven-year-old has earned in all five of his starts including a win at Ayr and a second at Kelso when switched to fences this season. It’s his first run since November, but connections have time on their side with a horse that should pay to follow.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 4 No7 FOX PRO (Each Way)
Trainer: Jane Williams – Jockey: David Noonan
On a tricky card FOX PRO could spring a surprise off bottom weight in this handicap chase. He’s not yet lived up to the promise he showed as a dual scorer in France, but ran in some good races before Christmas, and is better than a poor recent effort at Exeter indicates. That will be reflected in his price.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No1 TORRE DEL ORO (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
TORRE DEL ORO to beat Berwick Law is the way this three-year-old only handicap can pan out. The selection should relish a step up in trip on his handicap debut, having run into some decent foes in his races through the autumn and early winter.
Race 5 No2 CANADIANSMOKESHOW
Trainer: Sean Woods – Jockey: James Doyle
Centrefold showed ability last year while Storymaker is a well-related filly with pretensions to improve, but the one with the best credentials is CANADIANSMOKESHOW. The daughter of US Navy Flag troubled the judge on two of three visits to Newmarket and showed she handles Tapeta with a good run in defeat at Southwell.
