Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Southwell , Musselburgh , Exeter and Ludlow on 2 April 2025.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No5 EM JAY KAY
Trainer: Phil McEntee – Jockey: Grace McEntee
The eye is drawn to EM JAY KAY, who has troubled the judge on all but one of his five outings in 2025 and resonates as a horse that is overdue. His chance is increased by a return to 1200 metres, while he has a good rapport with his jockey.
Race 7 No4 SANT ALESSIO (Nap)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Market House is a dual winner who will probably front the market but preference is for the improving SANT ALESSIO, who put in a career best when trying a mile and a half for the first time at Wolverhampton last month. He made a bold attempt to make all before bring grabbed in the final strides, and now races over a slightly shorter trip.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 5 No5 PROFITABLE EDGE (Nap)
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Joe Fanning
The fact that she scored on his seasonal reappearance last year adds allure to the claims of PROFITABLE EDGE in this sprint handicap. The mare enjoyed a select campaign, and apart from that Thirsk triumph went on to score over today’s course and distance in July. Her final offering was her best, when fourth in a competitive Class2 at York’s August meeting. If running to that level she will surely prove hard to beat.
Race 7 No6 KYBER CRYSTAL
Trainer: Rebecca Menzies – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Chances can be afforded to a few in this bottom level spring but the one with a ring of consistency about her is KYBER CRYSTAL. The grey has carded figures of 41326 in her visits to this venue since joining her trainer, and only needs to show that she’s ready following a five months break in order to get into the shake-up.
EXETER
Race 1 No1 LAND AFAR (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Nathan Andrews
LAND AFAR has shown himself to be an effective operator at the bottom grade as mirrored by his Ludlow success before Christmas. That was sandwiched between good efforts in defeat at Uttoxeter and Huntingdon, and though his latest offering at Leicester was underwhelming he’s fancied to bounce back.
Race 3 No4 SUPER SAINT
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
SUPER SAINT hails from a posse of novices from Ditcheat that should pay their way on the better ground through the spring. A comfortable scorer at Sedgefield last time, it’s unlikely that a 3lb race can halt his progress and he should follow-up.
Race 6 No5 SWITCH HITTER
Trainer: Miss Olive Nicholls – Jockey: S Loxton
In the concluding hunters’ chase it’s hard to look away from SWITCH HITTER, who hails from a stable that has bagged this race in 2023 and 2024. He’s been in very good form landing his last three points, and now back over regulation fences has first time cheek pieces to assist him.
LUDLOW
Race 2 No2 REGAL RENAISSANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
REGAL RENAISSANCE jumped beautifully on her latest visit to her local track, only to be denied by Sacre Coeur who proved a hare that never came back. The Nap knows every blade of grass here, and in what looks a virtual match can down Sainte Doctor in her hat-trick bid.
Race 3 No1 EL RAYO
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
There’s a rawness about EL RAYO, but now in the handicap division he has a chance to open his account under Rules. The selection shaped with a deal of promise in a Market Rasen maiden hurdle last time, and is going to relish the step up in trip on handicap debut.
Race 4 No4 GOOD BOY BOBBY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Veteran GOOD BOY BOBBY is conceding upwards of two years in age to his four opponents in this three miles handicap chase but is fancied to make it a first success of the season. His latest offering when third to Sam Brown at Newbury has worked out, and was his best effort for a while.
