Horse racing predictions: Southwell, Newcastle and Wetherby

Four of Thursday’s five scheduled meetings across the UK and Ireland have beaten the weather, the exception being the National Hunt card at Wincanton, where the track is frozen.

Two jumps cards go ahead – at Wetherby (12.50-4.15pm) and Gowran Park (1.05-4.25), along with a pair of all-weather Flat meetings at Southwell (12.25-3.50) and Newcastle (4.00-7.30).

Thursday’s nap is a William Haggas runner who reverts to a winning distance at Southwell and has Tom Marquand booked for the ride.

Horse racing predictions today – Southwell, Newcastle and Wetherby

John Hill’s picks for Thursday are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them. 

Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.

Already used the Sky Bet sign-up offer? Take a look at more great bookmaker offers and the best betting sites.

Horse racing predictions: Southwell 1.35

MOHATU got off the mark over today’s distance of a mile at Lingfield last month. That was only his third racecourse appearance and he stayed on strongly to score by three parts of a length. 

Twelve days later the colt stepped up to 1m 2f on his handicap debut at the same track but had to settle for second. He didn’t finish the race as strongly as his connections would have liked, so trainer William Haggas has opted to drop his son of Roaring Lion back down to a mile.

The handicapper has kept the three-year-old on his initial rating of 77, so with more improvement likely, he has a great chance of adding to his tally here. Tom Marquand is on board for the first time, cheekpieces are applied and Mohatu looks to be the one they all have to beat in this Class 3 contest.

Selection: Mohatu @ SP with Sky Bet

Horse racing predictions: Newcastle 4.00

SKYE BREEZE bids to complete a hat-trick in this 1m 4½f handicap. The four-year-old has been in fine form over the past couple of months and the handicapper may not have got hold of him just yet.

In December, Ed Bethell’s colt broke his maiden at Wolverhampton after stepping up to 1m 4f. He appreciated the stiffer test, scoring by a length, and a fortnight later a second victory followed over this course and distance. Hollie Doyle held him up at the back and timed her run perfectly, hitting the front 100 yards out. He was full of running at the line, which indicates there is more to come.

This latest mark is 3lb higher than at Wolverhampton but that is unlikely to be enough to halt his winning run.

Selection: Skye Breeze @ SP with Sky Bet

Horse racing predictions: Wetherby 4.15

JET LAGS is still a maiden after six races under Rules, however he has shown signs that an opening win will arrive soon. He was denied by a neck last April in a novice hurdle at Kelso (2m 2f, good to soft), and last month he finished a promising third of 16 at Ayr (2m 4½f, heavy).

Martin Todhunter’s charge had no problems with the testing ground that day, when he did well to overcome being hampered twice, first on the turn for the home straight and then at the final hurdle.

His connections have opted to step Jet Lags up to 3m here and his running style suggests it could be an ideal trip. In a competitive handicap, he can’t be ruled out from getting his nose in front this time.

Selection: Jet Lags @ SP with Sky Bet

Looking for more horse racing picks for today’s action?

Find racecards for every meeting every day plus horse racing selections for every race, with each runner’s chances rated out of five.