Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday 11 December 2021

CHELTENHAM

Race 2 No4 TORN AND FRAYED
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

The much-vaunted My Drogo will take out the lion’s share of the betting handle on this novices’ chase but could find TORN AND FRAYED a doughty opponent at the business end. Caught out in a tactical affair at Ascot after running well on chase debut at Ascot behind the smart Annual Invictus, the selection might be made more use of in order to capitalise on his slick jumping.

Race 3 No6 BUN DORAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke

BUN DORAN has a value look about him as he reopposes Editeur Du Gite on better terms than for their meeting here last month. A Graded race winner over course and distance in his prime, the selection has dropped to a handy mark and has enough of his old fire remaining to spring a surprise.

Race 4 Racing Post Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

No2 MIDNIGHT SHADOW (Nap)
Trainer: Sue Smith – Jockey: Ryan Mania

MIDNIGHT SHADOW was in the right place at the right time throughout the Paddy Power Gold Cup and duly delivered over course and distance three weeks ago. He ended up reaching the front before the turn for home, opened up a big lead but idled after making his only mistake at the final fence. He was probably good value for his in the end narrow margin of victory. In the same race, COOLE CODY was in the process of running a stormer before his late departure, and on that evidence has to be in the mix again. Top weight CEPAGE needs respecting, and if asked to set the tempo could prove hard to peg back. His trainer’s chasers are starting to run into a bit of form. DOSTAL PHIL is weighted to make a much better race of it with Midnight Shadow than he did when fourth to him in the Paddy Power and could be the one to attract money on the show, but I don’t totally trust him.

Prediction: 1st MIDNIGHT SHADOW, 2nd Cepage, 3rd Coole Cody, 4th Dostal Phil

Race 6 Unibet International Hurdle (Grade 2)

No5 GUARD YOUR DREAMS
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

GUARD YOUR DREAMS is starting to live up to the high billing afforded him by his trainer, having landed some good bets in a competitive handicap at Chepstow before finishing third to Buzz at today’s level at Ascot. He’s back to the minimum distance today but has the necessary gears to cope with that. His stable rarely leaves this meeting empty-handed.

DONCASTER

Race 1 No1 GREDIN (nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes

You have to like the prospects of GREDIN following-up his snug Carlisle win and remaining unbeaten under Rules. He is going to handle the easy conditions, and although carrying a penalty should improve on that first run.

Race 6 bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

No1 KNIGHT SALUTE (Each Way)
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Paddy Brennan

This will have a bearing on the Triumph Hurdle market, and the one who could seriously boost his claims for that juvenile hurdle championship is KNIGHT SALUTE. The Sir Percy gelding has looked a natural for jumping in his unbeaten season with wins at Sedgefield, Kempton and Chepstow. He delivered at this level in Wales, but could be ignored in the betting with paper punters preferring Porticello and Magistrato, hopefully at their peril.

HEREFORD

Race 6 No6 VEE DANCER (Nap)
Trainer: Ronan McNally – Jockey: Kevin Brogan

You don’t see many horses go off 1-2 for an 11-runner handicap hurdle, but VEE DANCER was the subject of extraordinary support when scoring at Huntingdon last week. That represented a big step up on the form the gelding showed in Ireland, and he has every chance of following-up.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 5 No4 GRAND LIBYA
Trainer: Tom Clover – Jockey: Luke Morris

GRAND LIBYA chased home Barneys Gift on second career start at Redcar to show a lot of progression from his first offering, which was also on grass. If he is comfortable on the all-weather he should have a big say in the outcome of this weak novice stakes.

Race 6 No10 SWEET GLANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Shane Kelly

Radar filly SWEET GLANCE has scope for plenty of improvement from her one earning run at Catterick. As long as she handles the Tapeta surface she should give a very good account.

Place Accumulater Perm (Races 2-8)

5, 9 x 4 x 2, 6, 8 x 4 x 10 x 7, 5 x 6, 10, 4

R36

Ends