Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday's racing coming your way from Chepstow, Catterick Ridge and Newcastle on 31 October 2023.
CHEPSTOW
Race 4 No1 MIDNIGHTREFLECTION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Mr Charlie Case
MIDNIGHTREFLECTION is carded to go off as a roughie in this mares’ handicap hurdle but her price will probably not reflect her chance. A game scorer at Doncaster back in February, she could get onto an easy lead and prove hard to peg back.
Race 5 No9 UNCLE ARTHUR (Each Way)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
A gamble on UNCLE ARTHUR went astray when he unseated his rider on debut for O’Brien at Bangor. None the worse for that mishap, he is attractively handicapped and can make amends. One that also needs close attention in the Betting is Cardano, who should improve on his own comeback outing, and can earn.
Race 6 No10:TOP OF THE BILL (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
In a hot race in which Nocte Volatus and Ballybegg are respected, TOP OF THE BILL gets the vote. It’s very interesting that this horse managed by former trainer Jim Old is going straight into a handicap on his debut over fences. He’s schooled well at home and add to the hot streak of the Twiston-Davies stable.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 1 No2 TSUNAMI SPIRIT (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Philippart De Foy – Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette
Invincible Spirit colt TSUNAMI SPIRIT made a good impression when opening his account on Polytrack. He’s in a good place to repeat that Kempton triumph under a penalty and just needs to show he handles cut in the ground.
Race 2 No2 CUBANISTA (Each Way)
Trainer: Olly Williams – Jockey: Morgan Cole
CUBANISTA caught the eye with a better effort than his finishing position suggests at Redcar where he appeared happy on the heavy ground. It was easily his best effort in three runs since joining Williams, and he can make this a first success in 22 months.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No2 HIGHWAYGREY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
HIGHWAYGREY signalled he’s on the cusp of an overdue return to winning ways when third in a blanket finish at Redcar. Just threequarters of a length covered the principals with the gelding doing his best work at the finish. He’s well treated on his best form of 2022, but it’s 15 months since his last success.
Race 3 No4 GUNDOGAN (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
GUNDOGAN made a pleasing debut at Redcar only to implode very quickly on his latest turf start. The gelding has worked well on an all-weather surface at home and should enjoy this switch to sand.
Race 7 No5 LEADMAN
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
LEADMAN’s two near misses in as many starts make him the clear form pick in this novice, he needs to defy an absence of well over a year, but getting 7lb from the penalised Dolce Courage he should open his account.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 3-9)
4, 1 x 5, 10 x 6, 3, 1 x 5, 4, 6 x 5 x 8, 12, 10 x 10, 2, 4
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