Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Sunday, 11 May 2025

NEWCASTLE

Race 2 No7 MIGHTY QUIET
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Trevor Whelan

MIGHTY QUIET left her previous form well behind when dotting up on her final 2024 outing at Bath. That 25-1 shock afforded her a 7lb rise in the weights but suggests she’s going the right way, while she’s easily the least exposed horse in the field.

Race 3 No4 GUNSHIP (Nap)
Trainer: James Ferguson – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt

GUNSHIP attracted a welter of support to start 5-2 favourite on handicap bow at Sandown, but in a funny race wasn’t able to land an effective blow. When the Sea The Stars colt got going it was too late but he saw out the trip to the line, and should enjoy the return to an all-weather surface on which he was a winner over a mile.

Race 6 No12 WOODSTOCK (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Joanna Mason

WOODSTOCK is a very interesting candidate for this Class3 handicap following an improved run to make a podium finish behind Cruyff Turn at Redcar. This is only his second visit to Gosforth Park, and he can outperform his price before connections mull over a return to favourite track of Newbury.

PLUMPTON

Race 2 No4 PROPER TWELVE
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball – Jockey: Chad Bament

PROPER TWELVE regularly troubles the judge and after finishing second at Bangor last time now returns to a venue where he was too free for his own good on his previous start. He’s been placed on all completed starts for his trainer, and if settling can go one better.

Race 6 No3 SMUGGLERS HAVEN (Nap)
Trainer: Sara Bradstock – Jockey: Lily Bradstock

SMUGGLERS HAVEN has with three successes made a big contribution to Bradstock’s very high runners to winner strike rate. She handled a step up in trip at Chepstow last time and is a winner of her only run in a point. She’s schooled proficiently for this switch to fences, and if jumping regulation fences as well can prove the best bet on the card.

LUDLOW

Race 3 No2 REGAL RENAISSANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston- Davies

REGAL RENAISSANCE can see this course from her stable at neighbouring Downton and does much of her racing here. She’s made a smooth transition to fences, but ran into one when beaten by Sainte Doctor last month. She numbers two Ludlow hurdling successes on her CV, and can add one as a chaser as the best bet on the card.

Race 4 No8 AUNTIE MAGGIE
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: Jonathan Burke

As an in form mare getting weight from the field, AUNTIE MAGGIE makes a lot of sense as the one to be on in this handicap hurdle. She landed some good bets at Fakenham three weeks ago, and though handed a 9lb rise could easily have had that much in hand, while her confidence levels are on a high.

Race 6 No2 CASTING ASPERSIONS
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Fern O’Brien

CASTING ASPERSIONS was having just a second outing for O’Brien when a gritty scorer at Huntingdon and now competes from a 3lb higher mark. It was the first worthwhile form shown by the selection, suggesting the change of scenery has done him a power of good.