Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Southwell, Huntingdon, Wetherby and Newcastle on 25 January 2024.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No2 PAGLIACCI (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
PAGLIACCI narrowly failed to justify strong market support at Wolverhampton when showing an appreciation for a step up in trip. Today’s considerable further extension of the distance ladder can see him in even better light.
Race 4 BetUK Winter Derby Trial Conditions Stakes
No5 MILITARY ORDER
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
One-time Epsom Derby favourite MILITARY ORDER ended his 2023 campaign on a disappointing note, but is ready to bounce back. The Frankel gelding, who completed a hat-trick when landing the Lingfield Derby Trial in May, then finished last in the Premier Classic and also last in the Chester Stakes (Listed) in September. Any issues that affected him have been ironed out, and he can take the spoils at the expense of fellow four-year-old The Foxes.
HUNTINGDON
Race 1 No4 LIME DROP
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
LIME DROP was a late addition to the chasing ranks but ran well in each of her two races over fences at Ludlow. The mare earned on her only visit to this course over hurdles, and though usually needing her first run back from a break can now buck that trend.
Race 2 No8 JOUR D’EVASION (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
JOUR D’EVASION gives Daly a good chance of further success in this maiden hurdle. The French-bred has placed in a bumper and three hurdles including at this course in November. He’s progressive, and the most likely of those at the forefront of the market to produce his best.
Race 4 No9 TREGELE (Each Way)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
Several enter calculations in this two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle, but the one with most room for improvement is TREGELE. This is only a fifth career start for the six-year-old, who kept on for a minor cheque on seasonal return at Taunton. Both his outings over hurdles have been promising, suggesting he will find his niche in handicaps.
Race 5 No3 CAROLE’S PASS (Each Way)
Trainer: Amy Murphy – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
CAROLE’S PASS rates an attractive win and place entity on just a third run over fences. From a very good jumping family, she’s earned on both starts since switching to fences, at Exeter and Doncaster. She’s been highly tried, and though again facing tough opposition can show that she’s up to it. There’s further progression to come, and she should not be underestimated.
Race 6 No6 COME ON TEDDY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Although COME ON TEDDY has underwhelmed on both starts since returning from an enforced absence, it might be preemptive to give up on him. The ten-year-old hasn’t run very often since troubling the judge in the Pertemps Final at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival and finishing just out of the money in the equivalent race at Aintree. A chasing campaign was then shelved, but he’s well in today if able to rekindle even a portion of his best form.
WETHERBY
Race 3 No2 OUR JET
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
OUR JET outpointed a useful foe in Thelasthighking at Kempton and was then only just run out of it by Do Your Job at this course on Boxing Day. A dual scorer over hurdles here in the winter of 2022, he’s benefitted from a breathing operation and can continue his progression for a stable now back amongst the winners.
Race 5 No1 JUNIPER (Nap)
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball – Jockey: Rex Dingle
JUNIPER has a habit of throwing in a poor showing, as was the case on her return to action at Wincanton in the autumn. However, when on song she knows where the winning post is, as evidenced from a hat-trick of successes including here at Christmas 2022. If getting into a rhythm in front, the ten-year-old can post a first success since joining her trainer.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No3 CALL TO ACTION (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: S Gray
CALL TO ACTION was only just run out of it on his Southwell introduction and is strongly fancied to go one better as he will be more streetwise and brings the best form to the table.
Race 6 No1 ENDERMAN
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: D Nolan
ENDERMAN has shaped well on both all-weather starts this winter, especially when third over this course and distance last time. He faces the bang-in-form Bonito Cavalo, but with just a little more progression can end that rival’s winning streak.
