Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Huntingdon, Wetherby, Newcastle and Southwell on 23 January 2025.
HUNTINGDON
Race 1 No6 NAP HAND (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
NAP HAND was the winner of turf handicaps at Haydock and Newbury before switching to hurdles with a pleasing first run at Kempton. In a warm race, he finished third to Kientzheim, a run that has taught him a great deal for this battle with an admittedly dangerous rival in La Pinsonniere.
Race 2 No10 PALLADIUM
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Easily the most interesting horse on view over jumps today is the 2024 German Derby winner PALLADIUM. The Gleneagles colt embarks on a jumping career racing out of Seven Barrows, with Henderson jokingly stating he could be a Melbourne Cup horse of the future. That was very much a tongue-in-cheek remark, but in the silks of new owner Lady Bamford, the four-year-old should take care of business.
Race 3 No. LUCKY LUGGER (Each Way)
Trainer: Matt Sheppard – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
In a tightly-knit handicap chase, LUCKY LUGGER can prove the pick. He’s run well in each of his four starts since being switched to fences including when falling at Chepstow last time. That was an uncharacteristic mistake, and one the eight-year-old can bounce back from.
WETHERBY
Race 5 No5 HEVA ROSE (Nap)
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
HEVA ROSE was trained with a kid glove last season, but that patient policy yielded clear-cut successes at Lingfield and Hereford. Her score over fences and since returning from a breathing operation is two from three, and her astute trainer will have her fully primed for this re-entrance to the stage.
Race 6 No. GLORY HIGHTS (Each Way)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
One that catches the eye is GLORY HIGHTS, who after a narrow success at Carlisle ran well in defeat at Newcastle to make it a sixth earning effort from his last seven outings. From a stable that is doing well with its handicappers, he should again finish on the scene.
NEWCASTLE
Race 7 No1 ARLINGTON (Nap)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: David Nolan
On a tough card, ARLINGTON might be worth waiting for in the concluding classified stakes. He upped his game when second over this course and distance on a first outing of 2025, and that’s just about the best form on offer in a weak heat.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No1 ASH WEDNESDAY (Nap)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
It’s hard to see anything preventing ASH WEDNESDAY from completing a hat trick in this bottom-grade handicap. He’s been heavily supported on each of his last three starts since Boxing Day, and although pipped on the first occasion has taken out the last two by wide margins. It’s unlikely that a 5lb penalty for last week’s win will stop him.
Race 4 No3 PORTORO
Trainer: Martin Dunne – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
Apart from Valadero, all rivals to PORTORO in this second division of the previous race have been badly out of form. By a process of elimination, the Outstrip gelding can back up a very pleasing sequence on sand that reads 2413.
Race 5 No3 LERWICK (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
LERWICK is a horse with something to prove after his effort fell into a damp squib at Newcastle. In the Zetland colors that are one of the oldest still in existence in the UK, and moved up to a mile and a quarter with a first-time hood, he patently failed to stay and is on a recovery mission. He has talent in spades, and will hopefully show his true ability now back at a mile and with different headgear added.
Race 8 No. TWO PLUS TWO
Trainer: Ed De Giles – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
Forge Valley Lad is on a winning streak but might find the concession of 16lbs to TWO PLUS TWO too much in the nightcap. The selection belatedly opened his account with a gritty conversion at Wolverhampton. It might have given him a much-needed confidence boost that can help him follow up.
