Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Newcastle, Taunton and Southwell on 26 March 2024.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No8 NAB WOOD (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
NAB WOOD is a bet I’m looking forward to in this strongly contested two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle. The seven-year-old faces a number of equally in-form opponents but when scoring at Kelso could be named the winner a long way out. Having come home unchallenged, he can now cope with a step up the class ladder and deliver at the main expense of Joker De Mai.
Race 6 No2 RIVERS CORNER
Trainer: Syd Hosie – Jockey: Harry Atkins
RIVERS CORNER makes the long journey from the West Country in pursuit of a hat-trick and can achieve it. He’s operating off a 10lb higher mark than when successful at Taunton but has his tail up, and is probably improving faster than the assessor can keep up with him.
TAUNTON
Race 5 No3 CELTIC ART (Nap)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Rex Dingle
CELTIC ART made a good fist of it on his latest start at this level to confirm his liking of the Taunton circuit. He’s up against a couple of in-form rivals in Amelia’s Dance and hat-trick seeker Hara Kiri, but if giving his best can return to winning ways.
Race 7 No1 BRIDIE’S BEAU
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
If this concluding bumper was decided on pedigree then BRIDIE’S BEAU would be an appropriate winner. The Ditcheat challenger is the first foal of a Grade 2 hurdles winner. With plenty to recommend him he can resist the challenge of the more experienced Oakley’s Way.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No10 CALSHOT SPIT (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Although he hasn’t shown much in four outings this year CALSHOT SPIT is worth a market check in this low class apprentices’ handicap. George Bass has been in the plate in each of those races, and may be able to inspire a better tune out of him today.
Race 5 No3 MICKLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Heavily backed on his Newcastle introduction last September, MICKLEY failed to land a blow but he stepped up to the plate when beaten into third in a blanket finish to his only other start at Redcar. The Soldier’s Call gelding has wintered well, and looks sure to make his presence felt.
Race 7 No10 SOUL SINGER (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
SOUL SINGER put in a career-best when forcing a photo with Arlington at Newcastle last week, signalling that the penny has started to drop for the Land Force gelding. He takes the eye at the base of the weights in this 1200 metres sprint, and from a favourable draw should get involved.
Race 8 No9 STORM ASSET
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
STORM ASSET has a similar profile in that his defeat at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago represented a step up from anything he’d produced previously. He was caught in the last few strides on that occasion, and won’t mind dropping back a tad on the distance ladder.
