Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Southwell, Musselburgh, Chelmsford City and Wolverhampton on 25 July 2023.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No3 RIVER OF JOY
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: Sean Bowen
RIVER OF JOY was a well supported winner of a novice hurdle at Ffos Las on only her second run over jumps. The chestnut embarks on just a sixth career start today, and can make it a winning experience in a first handicap outing.
Race 6 No3 METHODTOTHEMAGIC (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Phillips – Jockey: Finn Lambert
Coconut Twist will attract a deal of the betting handle on this handicap hurdle, but having finished second on four consecutive outings might be vulnerable and METHODTOTHEMAGIC is preferred. The selection clicked for smart conditional Lambert when returned to hurdles over course and distance three weeks ago and takes a ring of confidence to post.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No3 INITIO
Trainer: Ed Bethell- Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
In what looks a weak maiden, newcomer INITIO could prove the answer. The Highland Reel gelding hails from a yard that’s been in consistently good form all season and though slow to come to hand he’s shown sufficient to be a factor.
Race 4 No4 TEES DOUGE (Nap)
Trainer: Adrian Nicholls – Jockey: Connor Murtagh
TESS DOUGE has troubled the judge in three of his four starts since posting a midfield finish in the Brocklesby. He reacted positively to the addition of cheek pieces to go down by half a length to Travel Candy on nursery debut at Catterick, and on more favourable terms can turn the tables on that foe.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No6 MACANUDO
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: William Buick
Though not blessed with the best of draws, neither are the main threats to MACANUDO who should open his account. The son of Invincible Spirit found one to beat him over five furlongs here last time but should be happier returned to six, the distance over which he was also runner-up on his previous outing.
Race 4 No12 TOTNES
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Kingman filly TOTNES enjoys the pick of the draw in this mile and a quarter handicap as well as bringing solid form credentials to the party. A winner of two of her three starts on the all-weather, she’s acquitted herself well in taking home minor cheques at Newmarket, Salisbury and Chester on her last three starts, and is getting weight from the majority of the field.
Race 5 No8 ALEXANDRETTA (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
Many fingers were burned when ALEXANDRETTA was beaten by Mother Mary on her first run on grass at Salisbury last week. The daughter of Sea The Moon might have been caught out by the 1400 metres trip, in which case this move up to a mile is going to be rank in her favour. She’s well regarded at Heath House Stables, and should make no mistake.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 5 No3 FLEUR DE MER (Each Way)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Harry Davies
Dark Angel filly FLEUR DE MER has shown ability in gaining a handicap mark, and even though well beaten at Goodwood can leave that running behind over today’s slightly longer trip. Most of her rivals are badly out of form, while she has scope for progression switched to this part of the racing spectrum.
Race 7 No2 VALENTINE BLUES (Nap)
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: Elisha Whittington
VALENTINE BLUES is the most interesting in this sprint by way of her excellent record of two from two for her trainer last autumn. Both successes were gained over today’s course and distance, and though making a belated return to the fray she showed with her first triumph in September that she’s adept coming off a break, and this is her first outing in eleven months.
