Neil Morrice best bets and tips – 13 November 2021

CHELTENHAM

Race 2 No14 STRICTLYADANCER (Each Way)
Trainer: Christian Williams – Jockey: Mr Ben Bromley

The way STRICTLYADANCER took out an almost identical race at the Showcase meeting here last month suggests the gelding has peaked around the same time he did in the 2020/2021 campaign. He’s been raised 5lb in the weights, but looked to score with more than that in hand, making him a solid betting entity.

Race 4 Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase ( Grade 3)

No8 MIDNIGHT SHADOW (Each Way)
Trainer: Sue Smith – Jockey: Ryan Mania

Simply The Betts debuts for Paul Nicholls off top weight and has to be respected, granted his liking for this course. The 2020 Brown Advisory Plate winner has run well fresh in the past, although he only made it to the track for this same race last season, finishing just out of the money behind Coole Cody. Al Dancer is another classy performer that has changed stables in the summer. He finished a creditable third in this 12 months ago, but was underwhelming in two subsequent outings. Support for Caribean Boy could need heeding, as he won first time back last season and is considered far better than he was able to show, while Manofthemountain did nothing wrong when second to Paint The Dream at Chepstow, and has to be respected. There must be a very good chance that one of the fore-mentioned horses triumphs, but one that appeals, even more, is MIDNIGHT SHADOW. Winner of a Grade 2 hurdle here on New Year’s Day 2020, the eight-year-old has contested some good races as a novice and in handicaps since his attention was turned to fences. Furthermore, he ran a blinder on his return to the fray when third to Allmankind at Aintree, making him a prime candidate to take home a cheque of some kind.

Prediction: 1st Midnight Shadow, 2nd Manofthemountain, 3rd Al Dancer, 4th Caribean Boy, 5th Simply The Betts

Race 6 No10 UNEXPECTED PARTY (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton

With plenty of room for progression and well treated by race conditions, UNEXPECTED PARTY can take out this intermediate handicap hurdle for the Skeletons. The grey bolted up when well backed on handicap debut at Wetherby to leave the impression there could be a lot more to come from him.

WETHERBY

Race 3 No4 EARLOFTHECOTSWOLDS
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor

Although posting a creditable third to Martello Sky on his reappearance at Market Rasen, EARLOFTHECOTSWOLDS gets into this off a 2lb lower mark. Taking into account that should have sharpened him up, he is very much the one to beat at a track that should suit his running style.

Race 7 No1 MUCKAMORE (Nap)
Trainer: Noble Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor

MUCKAMORE was unable to live up to his early promise when soundly beaten on all three starts over fences last season. He started favourite on each occasion and has been given plenty of time to regroup for a fresh campaign confined to long-distance handicap chases. He’s a young horse with time on his side, and has given indications in his work that he’s ready to bounce back from those reverses.

UTTOXETER

Race 4 No3 INDY FIVE
Trainer: David Dennis – Jockey: Jonathan Burke

This looks a good opportunity for INDY FIVE to be able to dominate. The veteran ran two very good races around this time last season, and although his last success was back in February 2018 there might still be a tune to be played from him.

Race 6 No2 ZULU DAWN (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Polly Pinchin

After two near misses, ZULU DAWN is the way to go as he makes his debut for an O’Brien stable that can do little wrong. The seven-year-old didn’t appear to get the trip at Worcester last time, and should appreciate the drop back to two and a half miles.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 8 No2 HASHTAGMETOO (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Osborne – Jockey: Saffie Osborne

HASHTAGMETOO ran a blinder from a bad draw when second to Liberated Lady at Kempton last month, having also troubled the judge on her previous start here. She rarely fails to take home a cheque, and from a favourable gate position this time appeals as a bet worth waiting for in the nightcap.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)

12, 5, 4 x 3 x 1, 7 x 7, 2 x 3, 5 x 10, 7, 3 x 2, 1

R144