Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way Wincanton on 29 October 2023.
Race 2 No9 JIMMY THE DIGGER (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Alice Stevens
This is a cracking veteran’s handicap chase in which JIMMY THE DIGGER is narrowly preferred to Boldmere. The latter demonstrated how well handicapped he’d become by scoring in two of only three outings last season, but Jimmy The Digger also fared well, and especially when scoring under Stevens on his reappearance at Cheltenham. With his capability of operating well when fresh, today could be the day to catch him.
Race 3 JEWSON FAST SET FINISH OLD ROAN LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE (Grade 2)
No2 TOMMY’S OSCAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Mrs Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Danny McManamin
Aintree’s first marquee contest of the season can go to TOMMY’S OSCAR who showed he’s in the zone with a stylish Kelso success earlier in the month. He jumped and travelled beautifully before putting that contest to bed, and has a record over fences reading 122121. In order to continue his progression he will need to thwart the highly regarded Somerset challenger MY DROGO as well as that horse’s stablemate HITMAN, but with fitness no issue to the selection he can follow-up.
Race 6 No4 MASTER CHEWY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
This stable has been banging in the winners and MASTER CHEWY can go on the list on this first outing over fences. The most expensive inmate at Grange Farm, he frequently disappointed in novice and handicap hurdles last winter, but the switch to fences can help enable him to show his real ability. He’s jumped well over fences at home and has been working well.
WINCANTON
Race 3 No9 WHISPERING ROYAL (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
WHISPERING ROYAL’s debut success on the Dundalk Polytrack gave scant indication of the direction he would pursue, and he quickly crossed the Irish Sea to join Alan King. For that trainer he earned in each of three outings on the Flat, and now going hurdling can show himself to be a smart prospect, as he will need to be in order to down French import Liari.
Race 4 No9 PERFECT NELSON
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Lorcan Williams
Panjari is carded to start favourite in this maiden hurdle, but bearing in mind how edgy he became on jumps debut at Chepstow he is worth taking on with PERFECT NELSON. The selection finished second in a couple of Irish bumpers and has been well prepared for jumping by his astute West Country trainer.
Race 6 No4 BASHERS REFLECTION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
BASHERS REFLECTION ended the 2022/23 campaign travelling on an upward curve with three successes from his final five starts. The chestnut has scope for further progression, but will need to produce it in order to earn in a very warm race. Mikhailovich, Sheldon and Oscars Moonshine also enter calculations in terms of exotic wagering.
