Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Ascot and Doncaster on 24 March 2024.
DONCASTER
Race 3 No7 GHAIHABAN (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
GHAIHABAN is the only filly in a competitive field for the novice stakes but must have strong claims to down Strong Opinion and Balmacara. Though lacking a recent outing, her two starts in 2023 came at the back end, and she ran especially well when second to Lunar Eclipse at Newmarket at the back end.
Race 8 No8 DANZART
Trainer: Stella Barclay – Jockey: George Rooke
DANZART is a speculative suggestion for this sprint handicap. The Dandy Man gelding rattled off a three-timer in the late spring of last year and has regularly earned at this level in a busy time since joining his trainer. He’s also shown he can deliver when coming back from a break.
ASCOT
Race 1 No13 VINCENZO (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The best bet on Ascot’s final jumps meeting of the season is VINCENZO. The six-year-old has earned in each of his three races over hurdles whilst running into some talented foes, including Diamond Ri and Pic Roc. Considering he suffered from breathing issues on his latest start at this track, it was a creditable effort. Furthermore he’s subsequently been operated to rectify the problem.
Race 4 No1 THELASTHIGHKING
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
Nailor is riding like a man inspired, and fresh from his Midlands National triumph on Beauport he can now deliver on THELASTHIGHKING. The top weight has run well in two visits to Kempton and looked a shade unfortunate to be collared by Our Jet at the Sunbury course back in November, back from a break, the chestnut is one to follow on better ground through the remaining weeks of the campaign.
Race 5 No8 NICKELFORCE
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Harry Bannister
NICKELFORCE was an authoritative scorer at Plumpton and has the distinction of being one of the only runners in this handicap hurdle that’s shown recent form. His success followed a sequence of earning runs, and that consistency can again find him in the shake-up in an admittedly better race.
Race 6 No5 DIEGO DU CHARMIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Nicholls rarely leaves this meeting empty-handed and I like the look of DIEGO DU CHARMIL, whose owner Johnny De La Hey struck with Blueking D’Oroux in 2023. The selection has winning form over fences here, and after being confined to just a single start last season has few recent miles on his racing clock and could have more to give.
