Neil Morrice Best Bets and Tips – Saturday 18 December 2021

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Race 4 Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1)

No1 BUZZ (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville

The standard bearer for Seven Barrows so far this winter, BUZZ can show that long distance hurdling is his future path by taking out this Grade 1 feature. The Cesarewitch winner made a smooth-as-silk return to hurdling when coming home unchallenged in a Grade 2 at this course last month, a first step up the distance ladder which is completed today. Everything about the way the seven-year-old races suggests he’ll have no problems with the extra yardage, and he is Napped.

Race 5 Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed)

No12 CHECKITOUT (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Many in this valuable handicap chase arrive out of form, and with something to prove, but not so CHECKITOUT who has earned on both starts this season. He put in a solid first run back to chase home Larry over this course and distance in the autumn, before staying on well over the Grand National fences to finish third to Snow Leopardess in the Grand Sefton at Aintree. For a progressive young horse he’s got into this contest with a feather weight, off which he should be very competitive.

Race 6 Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

No7 TRITONIC (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Adrian Heskin

This valuable handicap hurdle often falls to a horse with Champion Hurdle pretensions, and one that fits the bill in that sense is TRITONIC. The chestnut hasn’t managed to get his head in front since losing his unbeaten record over jumps when fifth in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. However, he’s run respectably in two visits to that course in the autumn, chasing home novice I Like To Move It and then taking home a minor cheque when fifth to West Cork in the Greatwood Hurdle. Meeting that foe on better terms, he has a good chance of turning the tables, and can also stave off challenges from No Ordinary Joe and the rapidly improving Onemorefortheroad in this ultra competitive heat.

Prediction: 1st TRITONIC, 2nd Onemorefortheroad, 3rd No Ordinary Joe, 4th West Cork

HAYDOCK PARK

Race 2 No1 DREAMS OF HOME (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes

Exciting front runner DREAMS OF HOME can make short work of his opponents to give his trainer hopes of even better things to come as the season progresses. The five-year-old jumped impeccably to open his chasing account at Ayr, and with a career record of three hurdle successes and just one defeat over fences looks a horse that can go a long way.

Race 4 No1 SHAKEM UP’ARRY

Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Luca Morgan

A fascinating handicap chase can go to top weight SHAKEM UP’ARRY. A distinctive galloper who travels with his head bent low to the ground, Shakem Up’Arry moved with his trademark alacrity until overjumping and losing his pilot out in the country on his chase debut at Ffos Las. The way that race subsequently unfolded suggests the seven-year-old would have won. He’s been given plenty of time to recover from the hiccup, and can get his career back on track.

Race 7 No9 POKER PLAY (Each Way)

Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore

The one that takes my eye in this good betting heat is POKER PLAY. The eight-year-old might not have won for more than two years, but his comeback second at Ffos Las brought with it the promise of better to come, and with conditions in his favour he can put in a big earning run.

NEWCASTLE

Race 1 No3 SOFT RISK (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan

The nicest horse on view on a tricky card for punting is SOFT RISK. The five-year-old competes away from Ayr for the first time, having impressively taken out a bumper and novice hurdle at that Scottish venue. He hardly came off the bridle on his hurdling bow last month, and rates a top prospect from his trainer’s Greystoke operation.

LINGFIELD PARK

Race 5 No5 REGAL REALITY
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore

This Listed feature can see REGAL REALITY giving trainer Stoute back-to-back triumphs in a race he often targets. While not quite as good as the stable’s 2020 winner Sangarious, Regal Reality has shown he can operate well when returning from a break, and has given out good signals in his preparatory work in Newmarket. He’s a mercurial character, but on a going day is more than capable of trumping in form rivals such as Felix and Garden Paradise.

Race 8 No8 RESET BUTTON (Nap)
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Luke Morris

RESET BUTTON opened his account without any fuss at Wolverhampton and could still be ahead of the assessor, who raised him just 2lb for his efforts. He’s getting weight from the majority of his foes, and will be hard to beat.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 7 No3 PERCY WILLIS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Tom Marquand

The way to go on this twilight card is to wait for the nightcap and PERCY WILLIS. My confidence in him will be raised if Reser Button wins at Lingfield, as that horse proved his match over tonight’s course and distance last month.

Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)

2, 4, 5 x 4, 1 x 4, 5 x 7 x 2, 1 x 5, 9 x 3, 1

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