Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Hereford, Market Rasen and Kempton Park on 26 March 2025.
HEREFORD
Race 5 No1 PEP TALKING
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
After back-to-back successes PEP TALKING had his progress interrupted by a virus which affected him at Warwick at the turn of the year. Given time to recover, the gelding put in a more polished display when third at Huntingdon at the start of this month, in a race won by Groom De Cotte that has worked out well.
Race 6 No2 JIMBO SPORT (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Callum Pritchard
Pauling saddles three strongly fancied runners across two cards of whom JIMBO SPORT holds strong claims to take out this bumper. The Nap showed very little on the Flat in France but raised his game when contesting a couple of Irish points. He is vastly experienced compared to any of his opponents, and fully tuned up for this first outing under Rules.
MARKET RASEN
Race 2 No2 YOUDECIDE
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
Former pointer YOUDECIDE came good at Huntingdon after being freshened up by a mid season break. Now that he’s got the bit between his teeth the Mahler gelding can consolidate to remain unbeaten in handicap company. His trainer made a good job of getting him handicapped, and he’s probably still got more to offer.
Race 4 No5 NOBODY’S PERFECT
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: James Bowen
As the only recent winner in the field NOBODY’S PERFECT rates a worthy favourite for this mares’ handicap hurdle. She is 6lb higher for that Exeter triumph, but it marked a big upturn in her fortunes as she asserted in the closing stages to show the benefit of having her usual hood left off. Furthermore she’s getting upwards of 8lb from her four rivals in a race that’s cut up in her favour.
Race 6 No4 UPTOWN DANDY (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
UPTOWN DANDY has twice troubled the judge at Exeter, with the form of his first run having worked out especially well, while his latest defeat happened in a three-way blanket finish. Although today’s drying ground provides new territory for him, he is reported in very good form and should open his account.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No6 MARVELMAN
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Invincible Spirit colt MARVELMAN finished second in maidens at Salisbury and Newbury to give him the best credentials in this first division of the novice. He is strongly fancied to take the spoils on the way to better things.
Race 3 No9 WHITE CROWN STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Balding has excelled with his runners for owner Suhail and Sea The Stars colt WHITE CROWN STAR is interesting granted he’s contesting the concluding leg of the novice when he is already qualified to run in a handicap. Though his first outing out of Park House was just satisfactory, he can now show his true colours on a first outing since undergoing wind surgery.
Race 4 No7 PACKETOFBISCUITS
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
It was over this course and distance that PACKETOFBISCUITS went down by inches earlier in the month to earn himself a 2lb hike in the ratings. It was a career best from the Showcasing gelding, who though having to cope with an outside draw may be good enough to go one better.
Race 6 No6 NIKOVO (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
A very interesting runner in this Class2 over 1400 metres is NIVOKO. Pitching against proven performers like Roi De France, Mount Athos and Popmaster won’t be easy, but there’s no way his shrewd handler would bring him here other than to mean business, and there’s much to like about his profile. The four times all-weather winner met with traffic problems at Newcastle and Southwell before scoring on his latest visit to Gosforth Park. He’s yet to score at this level, but appeals as an improver who gets plenty of weight from his opponents.
