Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Fontwell Park, Thirsk and Southwell on 4 April 2023.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 4 No4 GARDENER (Nap)
Trainer: Alex Hales – Jockey: Kielan Woods
Field sizes are largely disappointing despite there being plenty of cut in the ground. The best bet on the card is GARDENER, who is barely out of the novice bracket and could have more to offer. A winner of a Leicester novice hurdle in late December, he did too much when favourite for his first run in a handicap at Hereford and has been afforded a mid season break. Bearing in mind this is only the seventh race of his life, and that he loves to get his toe in, he can prove a thorn in the side of his foes.
Race 5 No3 STAR FLYER
Trainer: Warren Greatrex – Jockey: Dylan Kitts
Greatrex is enjoying an improved season and has good claims in this long distance handicap hurdle with STAR FLYER. The selection’s two runs since undergoing a breathing operation have seen him earn at Newcastle and latterly at this track, and he can halt Flintara’s winning run on this first handicap outing.
THIRSK
Race 4 No1 MARTIN’S BRIG (Nap)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
The progressive MARTIN’S BRIG was a back-to-back scorer at Southwell before Christmas and has improved from race to race in three outings on sand through the winter. His record on grass was consistently good last year, and his latest near miss at Newcastle indicates the top weight is ready to deliver.
Race 7 No3 FEN TIGER
Trainer: Julia Feilden – Jockey: Frederick Larson
With figures of 122121 FEN TIGER made his owners very happy through the summer and autumn last year. He regularly attracted market support, and relished the deep ground when signing off with a clear cut triumph at Leicester. This progressive individual can show with another win that he’s still a step ahead of the assessor.
Race 8 No5 ASTAPOR (Each Way)
Trainer: John Riches – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
ASTAPOR changed hands for minor bucks two years ago, but rewarded his current trainer with a 200-1 victory at Hamilton last June. He troubled the judge on two subsequent visits to the Glasgow venue and wasn’t beaten far on his 2023 return behind Glorious Charmer at Wolverhampton. From stall 1 he can post a big earning run in this competitive finale.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No7 MY DUTY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Cam Hardie
Zoology will command a large chunk of the betting handle on this but is worth opposing with MY DUTY. The son of Muhaarar improved to trouble the judge on a second visit to Newcastle, and along with Elwasme can give the favourite something to think about as a value win and place option.
Race 4 No7 CHEALAMY (Nap)
Trainer: James Ferguson – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
The one that takes my eye is CHEALAMY, who qualified for a handicap mark with a frame finish in what looked an above average maiden at Newmarket, won by Vermilion. The daughter of Siyouni should enjoy stepping up to a mile in this open looking heat, in which she’s opposed by six previous winners.
Race 7 No9 EBURY (Each Way)
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: Elisha Whittington
EBURY has knocked on the door a couple of times but needs to overcome the disadvantage of an outer draw if he’s to open his account for the year. The seven-year-old has run well on each occasion Whittington has ridden him, and is a good conveyance for an inexperienced pilot. He’s not won since the autumn of 2019, but this is a good opportunity to earn.
