Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Pontefract, Exeter and Wolverhampton on 11 April 2023.
PONTEFRACT
Race 3 No4 COQUELICOT (Nap)
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball- Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Atzeni clicked with COQUELICOT when the three-mile hurdles winner scored at Nottingham last week, looking stronger with every stride taken. The combination reappear under a 4lb penalty and should prove just as effective stretching out in trip on this stiffer track.
Race 4 No9 EY UP IT’S MAGGIE
Trainer: Tony Coyle – Jockey: Kieran Schofield
EY UP IT’S MAGGIE skipped an opportunity at the weekend to wait for this better race, in which instead of giving away weight she’s receiving it from all of her eight foes. She will break from the rail, which can be a huge advantage here unless the ground turns soft. Impressive in scoring on the first day of the season at Doncaster, another big run is in store.
Race 5 No3 PROJECT BLACK
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
PROJECT BLACK hails from a stable that excels with its sprinters and is the type to progress even though this part of the racing spectrum is one of the hardest to circumvent. The Showcasing colt ran well in each of his three outings as a juvenile and has strengthened up to suggest from his favourable draw he will have a big say in the outcome.
Race 6 No4 LEGACY POWER
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
LEGACY POWER has the points on the board following his good effort at Lingfield in February, as the Time Test colt has made good strides at home subsequently and will be more streetwise for this clash with well-regarded newcomer Crystal Mariner.
EXETER
Race 2 No11 MARMALAID
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Several in the field can win this long-distance novices’ handicap hurdle, but the one with the most scope for improvement is MARMALAID. The mare has until now experienced long gaps between her races, but following a satisfactory comeback at Plumpton should now be right in the zone and ready to start making up for lost time.
Race 3 No2 GYENYAME
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Of similar ilk regarding lack of experience is GYENYAME who has improved with each of his three starts, opening his account in decisive fashion at Wincanton last month. A winner on the all-weather and turf on his last two starts for previous handler Andrew Balding, he is a good prospect of whom we should find out how good today.
Race 4 No8 EROS (Nap)
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Ben Godfrey
EROS has consistently found one to beat him after more than once trading very short on the in running exchanges. A good jumper, he conspired to surrender a big advantage at Warwick and then to go down in a photo to Upagainstit at the same course. While it’s hard to state that a 20-race maiden doesn’t have its quirks, I can’t find a hole in the nine-year-old, and am fairly confident today will be his day.
Race 6 No3 COME ON GRUFF
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
COME ON GRUFF gets the vote in this competitive handicap hurdle on the basis that he’s a fresh horse that should do well through the spring weeks ahead. He has strong form, and when last week at Kempton back in November went down in a blanket finish in the race won by Good News. His defeat of Picanha at Ludlow a year ago reads particularly well, he just needs to show that he’s ready to deliver after his lay-off.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No8 POSTERGAL
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
POSTERGAL claimed a minor cheque on her Lingfield return but the Postponed filly has benefitted from the experience to make her a serious threat to two colts and a gelding that are in front of her in the betting. With the resurgent Murphy doing the navigating, she can become the latest winner for a yard that enjoyed abundant success over the Easter weekend.
Race 5 No4 CRUISE
Trainer: Ollie Sangster – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Murphy is the go-to man again when joining forces with rookie trainer Sangster on CRUISE. The daughter of Cotai Glory attracted support on her Kempton return only to go down fighting in a close finish. She looks to have improved from two to three, and can halt the hat-trick bid of top weight She’s Centimental.
