Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from the FFOS LAS and SEDGEFIELD.
FFOS LAS
Race 4 No2 FIDDLERONTHEROOF (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Robbie Power
A race remembering Wales’s only Gold Cup winner Norton’s Coin provides a tantalising three-cornered affair, and while Emitom made a satisfactory start to his career over fences and If The Cap Fits carries a tall home reputation FIDDLERONTHEROOF can trump them both. Last season’s Tolworth Hurdle winner couldn’t cut the mustard against Shishkin in the Supreme Novices’ but has looked a natural in his schooling over fences at home. He’s the apple of his trainer’s eye, and could go right to the top in this new discipline.
Race 5 No1 BALLYANDY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Sceau Royal and BALLYANDY are the class horses in this featured Welsh Champion Hurdle, opposed by upwardly mobile younger rivals such as Main Fact and Thebannerkingrebel. The last-named individual is entitled to make up into a smart performer now that he’s older and wiser but Ballyandy is reported fir for this seasonal return and gets the vote. The former Betfair Handicap Hurdle winner has hardly run a bad race since his chasing career was shelved, is a strong traveller that will go in the ground and can again get into the shake-up.
Race 7 No7 THE BOMBER LISTON
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
While there’s nothing to go on form-wise in the first division of the bumper, my best news concerns THE BOMBER LISTON. Named after a famous heavyweight boxer from the Sixties, the gelded son of Yeats has been shaping up well at home, and can land a knock out punch at the first time of asking.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 3 No6 OVERCOURT (Nap)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
OVERCOURT ended last season riding on the crest of a wave, gaining back-to-back victories at Musselburgh and Newcastle. He ended the season unbeaten in handicaps and attracted solid market support on each occasion. Now switched to fences, he’s the one they all have to beat if turning up in the same frame of mind.
Race 5 No3 ARTHUR’S GIFT (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
It takes a dour stayer to carry the day in the Durham National but ARTHUR’S GIFT has the wherewithal to step up to the plate and post a first success since February 2019.
His trainer is a dab hand with this type of individual, who though by a sire known for producing horses that go on faster ground, has displayed on several occasions a proper liking for the mud.
Race 7 No3 DARGIANNINI
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Danny Cook
This newcomer has improved physically since his arrival at the Whittington yard, showing a willing attitude in his work for an owner that had a Cheltenham Festival winner with Simply The Betts back in March. He can deliver at the first time of asking before his trainer switches him to hurdles later in the year.
