Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Thursday 24 April 2025

BEVERLEY

Race 6 No5 ALFIE BOY (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

ALFIE BOY posted his only career success last May since when he’s troubled the judge on a number of occasions without adding to his laurels. But having earned on his first run back at Redcar he’s in a good place to regain the winning thread, and especially so granted his good draw four off the fence, and the fact he has improvement in him.

Race 7 No2 KAARESS
Trainer: Ollie Pears – Jockey: Harry Russell

KASRESS recorded her only success on turf at Redcar, and it was at that course where she made the frame as a 50-1 roughie when returning to action earlier in the month. She’s no star, but this might be the day to catch her.

PERTH

Race 2 No3 THE SAINTED CANARY (Nap)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Lorcan Williams

The best racing today is at the Perth Festival where THE SAINTED CANARY can justify with an earning run the long journey from Somerset. He was in contention when suffering a minor bleed at Wincanton where he had scored on his previous start. He’d run well in three bumpers prior to that and is very interesting now switched to a handicap.

Race 5 No6 FLORIDA DREAMS
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin

Nicky Richards has a good record in this race in which FLORIDA DREAMS can prove the trainer’s ace card. The selection hasn’t enjoyed the rub of the green as he made a costly mistake at Musselburgh, and was given too much to do on his first attempt at this trip at Ayr. He was a well supported favourite that day, and can show by going one better that the losses were merely lent.

Race 6 No1 TOMMY’S OSCAR
Trainer: Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Danny McMenamin

It has so far proved a select but fruitless season for TOMMY’S OSCAR, but that can change today. Racing off a lower mark than he last won off he tries the two and a half mile trip for the first time. It’s easy to have reservations about him getting it, but if he does he should prove hard to beat.

WARWICK

Race 7 No8 ROLL TIDE (Each Way)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Harry Cobden

Several of the big NH yards are represented in the concluding bumper but one from a yard that doesn’t have many jumpers that can go well is ROLL TIDE. The grey was beaten only 3 lengths on Rules debut at Doncaster, will improve from that encouraging effort and has champion jockey Harry Cobden in his saddle.

BANGOR-ON-DEE

Race 1 No2 I’M A LUMBERJACK (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon

Ronnies Rules returned to winning ways when allowed to dictate last week but he could find I’M A LUMBERJACK too hot to handle. The Nap transferred his smart bumper form to hurdling with a Warwick triumph before Christmas and should be forgiven his underwhelming display at Uttoxeter last time when there was an issue with the watered ground. He’s much better than that, and can bounce back.

Race 4 No1 SAIL AWAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Mr Sean P O’Connor

SAIL AWAY got no further than the first when hampered in the Scottish National. He had been popular in the betting and back down in trip can show he’s a well handicapped horse by staving off the attentions of BIG CITY ROLLER who was an impressive winner of his first outing over fences and is massively unexposed.

Race 5 No1 CELTIC ART (Each Way)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Bryan Carver

CELTIC ART hasn’t been done any favours by the assessor but still needs careful consideration in this competitive handicap hurdle. He dominated his field when scoring at Warwick and troubled the judge in a better race at Newbury last time. He should act on this track and needs to be ridden on or close to the front end.

CHELMSFORD CITY

Race 7 No7 CAVALRY CALL (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Jack Mitchell

A first time visor could do the trick for CAVALRY CALL, who goes to post on the back of near misses at this course and Bath and who has looked happier racing over this mile and a quarter trip. He’s the only advice on a tricky card for punting.