Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Nottingham, Catterick Bridge, Taunton and Kempton Park on 9 April 2025.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 1 No6 SPECIAL ACCLAIM (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Acclamation gelding SPECIAL ACCLAIM fluffed his lines at the start and then ran green on debut at Chelmsford last month. It transpired that the penny started to drop for the grey inside the final furlong, and I expect he’s learned a bundle from that experience which can now propel him into the money.
Race 3 No3 CAMERON HIGHLANDER (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Joe Fanning
Too Darn Hot colt CAMERON HIGHLANDER can play the experience card after his pleasing first effort to trouble the judge at Newcastle. He faces a well regarded newcomer in SEA OF KINGS, but could know too much for that rival.
Race 7 No5 SOURDOUGH
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Sean Levey
SOURDOUGH obtained a handicap mark with his best of three outings when third to Present Times at Lingfield. He appeals as a horse that will do better in handicaps, and in the colours of Sir Martyn Arbib can make his mark in an admittedly wide open contest.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 7 No7 MISTER SOX (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
With Easterby’s early runners showing plenty of sparkle, MISTER SOX takes the eye breaking four from the rail in this 1200 metres sprint. Most of this consistent racers’ best performances have happened when there was plenty of cut in the ground, and I just hope conditions to dry up too much for him as there’s a very clement forecast.
TAUNTON
Race 2 No1 RASCALLION
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
RASCALLION carries a penalty for his recent winning run at Wincanton which also marked a first outing out of West Lockinge Stables for the gelding, who has the wherewithal to thwart the unexposed and downgraded Nardaran.
Race 4 No4 SPOTTY DOG
Trainer: Michael Hawker – Jockey: Harry Reed
Although he is not a proficient jumper of fences, SPOTTY DOG is going to be hard to beat getting stacks of weight from his three opponents. The selection responded well to having blinkers added when second on his latest start at Lingfield, and while conceding upwards of two years in age can show his rivals a clean pair of heels.
Race 7 No1 BIG BOY BARNEY (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
The concluding bumper might have fallen into the lap of BIG BOY BARNEY whose placed effort on Rules debut at Warwick has been endorsed by the winner Destination Dubai. A winner between the flags, he should enjoy dropping into calmer waters here.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No6 STATEIRA
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Persian King filly STATEIRA posted a 28-1 shocker on her Southwell debut in late February where she was never more on top than at the finish. She’s up against five previous winners in a warm affair, but there are good vibes for her from Park House Stables while she has a very good draw.
Race 3 No2 COSMIC YEAR (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
On what should be a profitable night for the jockey, Murphy can also connect with the beautifully-bred Kingman colt COSMIC YEAR. The selection scored on his only start at Sandown, and although having a Group 1 winning mother who got a mile and a half can cope with this shorter than ideal 1400 metres trip.
Race 4 No2 BLUE PRINCE
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Yorkshire ran well when finishing just out of the money on his seasonal return and is a very interesting runner that’s been lorries down from North Yorkshire. He should improve on that, but perhaps not sufficient to stop BLUE PRINCE from taking the spoils. Seven furlongs is possibly an optimum distance for my selection, whose earning run at Southwell last time was better than it looked.
