Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Leicester and Southwell on 23 January 2024.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No9 INTO THE PARK
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Mickael Nolan
INTO THE PARK has proved easy to back on all three outings since joining Hobbs from the Irish point field. However, he put in a much-improved display when beaten only two-and-three-quarter-lengths by the well-regarded Joyeuse at Taunton. If building on that, he looks the answer to this first division of the maiden hurdle.
Race 4 No10 GAZETTE BOURGEOISE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Harry Bannister
Superior jumping assisted GAZETTE BOURGEOISE on her Ffos Las reappearance, in which she was in control for the majority of the contest only to be worried out of it in a desperate finish. Two years since her last success the mare can now post an overdue first win over fences, with Trincomalee one to keep a watchful eye on for market support on his return from a protracted layoff.
Race 5 No10 GAYE LEGACY (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Symonds – Jockey: Benjamin Poste
The bet I’m most looking forward to is GAYE LEGACY, who has been a regular earner for her connections this season. A winner at Market Rasen in November, she ran well in defeat at Aintree and looked unfortunate not to finish closer to winner Martha Brae at Kempton after meeting serious interference at halfway. So strongly did she finish off her race that she has to be looked upon as a winner without a penalty.
Race 7 No1 JURANCON
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
JURANCON zig-zagged from France to Ireland and back before joining Pipe’s Pond House team and scoring decisively on debut under Rules at Chepstow. That fifth success of his career makes him the one to beat, and he can follow up at the main expense of the equally promising Kap Boy.
LEICESTER
Race 1 No6 PIPERS CROSS (Nap)
Trainer: R Llewellyn – Jockey: Mr C Johnstone-Baker
PIPERS CROSS could be the answer to a race in which the conditional and amateur riders cannot carry whips. The mare has attracted support and finished second in both outings since joining her trainer, and under today’s pilot appeared to improve with cheek pieces added at Doncaster. With its long home straight, Leicester is a similar track, and the combination look poised for another earning run.
Race 3 No5 HIGH TREASON (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
HIGH TREASON met a couple of useful foes when having to be content with minor honours on his first run over hurdles at Southwell. Placed in two bumpers on his only other starts under Rules, he’s greatly benefitted from that jumping introduction and can cause problems for unbeaten rival Mt Fugi Park
Race 5 No5 MYLESFROMWICKLOW
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
With the Skelton horses now really finding their feet MYLESFROMWICKLOW carries abundant stable confidence to post for this long-distance handicap chase. The seven-year-old has been lightly raced since joining this team as the winner of his only outing in a point. He’s managed to finish second on five occasions over hurdles but has looked just as effective in two chases, scoring at Huntingdon and being narrowly denied by the useful The Edgar Wallace at this track last time.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No2 COUNSEL (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
The beautifully-bred COUNSEL landed some good bets on a first start for Appleby at Lingfield for which he carries a 5lb penalty. The six-year-old was well on top at the finish, and if coping with an outside post in this 1400 metres contest round a left-handed bend, has strong claims to follow up.
Race 7 No7 OLD CHUMS
Trainer: Tom Dascombe – Jockey: Alec Voikhansky
As the least experienced runner in this three-year-old only handicap OLD CHUMS has scope for further progression. The Kodiac gelding benefitted from the addition of cheek pieces to post a first career triumph at this course last week. Making a swift reappearance under a penalty, he can parry the challenge of Wren Officer and Reprised.
Race 9 No4 KING VIKTOR
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Ben Robinson
KING VIKTOR has a good record on his limited racing on Tapeta, having scored twice at this course and also finished second from only four visits. Popular in the market before his gritty success two weeks ago, he’s fancied to follow up from his revised mark.
