Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Brighton, Wolverhamptonm Hntingdon, Ayr and Hexham on 23 May 2023.
BRIGHTON
Race 1 No8 MR PC (Each Way)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Tom Marquand
MR PC doesn’t leap off the page as the most obvious winner of the day’s opener but Marquand is an eye-taking booking for the five-year-old who was only just out of the money last time, and has worked himself into a position from which he can add to his handler’s good record at this track.
Race 2 No6 ISLAND NATIVE (Each Way)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Ray Dawson
Main sent out a 150-1 winner last week and while ISLAND NATIVE won’t be quite that generous a price the Caravaggio colt holds scope for progression now running in a handicap. One of the least experienced members of the party, he needs respecting.
Race 7 No8 LANDING STRIP (Each Way)
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
LANDING STRIP looked decidedly moderate in a select winter campaign but now returns from a break and in a handicap. The Outstrip filly can only improve for a trainer that occasionally pops in a big-priced winner at this course.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No2 EDEN STORM (Nap)
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
EDEN STORM landed some good bets on a second career start at this course when beating Wall Game last month. The latter failed to endorse the form when upgraded into a handicap on Saturday, but Eden Storm should still be in his comfort zone running under a penalty, and can follow up for a trainer whose horses are just starting to fire.
Race 5 No7 BORN RULER
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
BORN RULER graduated into the winners’ circle in three 2022 outings and was a comfortable scorer here at the end of January. The Kingman colt has been given time to strengthen up, and returns with a good chance of making his first run in handicap company a successful one.
HUNTINGDON
Race 7 No8 DELLBOY TROTTER (Nap)
Trainer: Tracey Leeson – Jockey: Harry Cobden
DELLBOY TROTTER kept on strongly at the end of his Ludlow race earlier in the month to post a best effort yet in 2023. He’s very hard to knock out of the frame, and since gaining back-to-back triumphs at this time last summer has taken away a cheque in nine of his ten outings. He’s very much in the zone and can earn yet again as the only bet on a tricky card for punting.
AYR
Race 5 No1 DARKNESS (Nap)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Jason Watson
DARKNESS appeared to be drawn on the wrong side when out of the money in the ultra-competitive Victoria Cup at Ascot. The former classy French performer had earlier put in interesting performances at Redcar and Newmarket and has to be afforded respect in much calmer waters now in a Class 4.
HEXHAM
Race 2 No3 HARPER VALLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Rebecca Menzies – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
HARPER VALLEY may have the beating on Ninetofive in this novices’ hurdle. the Nap was up against a very smart opponent when chasing home Ballyporeen at Kelso on only a third start under Rules, and on that evidence should improve past his more experienced rival.
