Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Exeter, Market Rasen and Southwell on 9 January 2024.
EXETER
Race 2 No9 VICENZO (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
VICENZO didn’t help his cause by running green on his hurdling debut at Carlisle and now returns after a more than three-month absence. He hasn’t been marking time in that period, and after schooling and working well at home he’s ready to put his best foot forward against Home Free.
Race 3 No4 CHAMPAGNE RHYTHM (Each Way)
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Isabel Williams
If CHAMPAGNE RHYTHM is available at anything close to his paper price I shall take it. His chance in this first leg of the handicap hurdle isn’t obvious, but as a nine-year-old, he doesn’t have many miles on his racing clock, and though he’s had training issues he’s very well in on his early career form as a novice.
Race 5 No1 TOP OF THE BILL
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
TOP OF THE BILL races at Haldon for the third time in succession, and looks to build on a decisive success last month. He benefitted from a positive ride on that occasion, and can turn the tables on Pimlico Point, who had finished in front of him when they clashed here earlier in the season.
MARKET RASEN
Race 3 No4 TRINCOMALEE
Trainer: Lucy Wadham – Jockey: Bryony Frost
TRINCOMALEE is a very interesting proposition on his return from a long absence in this three miles novices’ limited handicap chase. He was a dual scorer and regular earner over fences before succumbing to injury, and if ready for this can earn.
Race 6 No4 YELLOW JACKET (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
YELLOW JACKET has earned on each of his three starts over fences, and though beaten a long way when second at Bangor probably doesn’t face anything as good as his conqueror Forde De Frap. This is a good opportunity for him to open his account.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No11 EL HIBRI
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Jack Enright
EL HIBRI looks very solid getting weight from his foes in this sprint round a left-handed bend in which he’s been handed what looks a perfect draw. He faces mainly out-of-form opponents, and can defy a 5lb penalty.
Race 5 No8 INTERVENTION
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
INTERVENTION had a four-race winning sequence halted by Just A Spark at Wolverhampton and the gelding now tries his luck at Southwell where he hasn’t raced since last spring. he was a dual scorer at the track in his early career with Appleby, and just needs to show that the new Tapeta surface here suits him as well.
Race 8 No2 BLAZING HOT (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
BLAZING HOT has earned on both starts since joining Herrington and with just a little more progression can score for the first time in over a year. The chestnut went down by narrow margins at both Pontefract and Newcastle and deserves to get his head on front.
