Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Yarmouth, Ayr, Warwick, Southwell and Kempton Park on 22 May 2024.
YARMOUTH
Race 2 No2 EXPERT WITNESS (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: George Rooke
With her second placing on seasonal return at Bath last month EXPERT WITNESS stated her case for a bountiful campaign and is sure to be better for the run. She looks the pick of the weights in this Class5 handicap, for a trainer whose small team have been running well.
Race 6 No11 CHARLATAN ( Each Way)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Callus Shepherd
CHARLATAN enjoyed a hot streak of success on sand during the winter when completing a hat-trick, and though his first run on turf looked underwhelming it needs to be remembered it was only his fifth run on grass and he looked a shade rusty. He’s carded to start at a big double-figure price and if that’s the case I shall speculate.
AYR
Race 6 No5 POL ROGER (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
POL ROGER was a decisive scorer over this course and distance earlier in the month when the subject of market support. It was a big step up on his first run of the season, and with his trainer and jockey amongst the winners is worth backing to follow up.
WARWICK
Race 4 No1 JUNGLE JACK
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Although carded to be sent off the outsider of four, JUNGLE JACK needs respecting as his trainer adds blinkers for the first time. At first glance it seems he’s lost his way but if near his best the eight-year-old would make short work of his opponents.
Race 6 No2 KINTAIL (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
KINTAIL demonstrated with his course success last November that he’s dangerous on a first run of the season, when returning fresh from a break. The former bumper winner is on a hat-trick, and if coping with ground faster than he’s used to should achieve it.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No4 HARD AS NAILS (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Jack hogan
HARD AS NAILS was a two-time scorer in the bumper division before putting in a very solid jumping display to finish second at Stratford last month. She brings the best form to the table and if turning up in similar form is very much the one to beat.
Race 4 No4 JAXONNE
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Quick ground held no perils for JAXONNE when he bolted up at Ludlow. Under a 7lb penalty, he should again be competitive, and take the spoils at the main expense of recent course and distance winner Knacker Trapper, who escapes a penalty for that.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 5 No12 SMOULDERING (Nap)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Cox’s horses are running well generally, and from a very good draw, SMOULDERING can further boost her trainer. The Profitable filly looked green on her Wolverhampton debut but still stayed on for second, and this looks easier.
Race 6 No5 RAJINDRI
Trainer: Tom Clover – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
RAJINDRI rarely fails to take away a cheque and is likely to have been primed by her recent near miss at Yarmouth. In an open heat, she can repel the challenges of Thapa VC and Giant.
