Neil Morrice best bets and tips – 16 November 2021

AYR

Race 1 No8 SOFT RISK (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Brian Hughes

SOFT RISK was a wide-margin winner of his only career start in a bumper here back in May. The five-year-old toyed with the opposition and is one of his trainer’s better prospects for novice hurdles this winter.

Race 3 No11 SALVINO (Each Way)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania

SALVINO could prove the value option in a race where several are in with a chance. Importantly the selection has had a run over hurdles when just out of the money and not beaten far in a similar event at Kelso. That should have blown away any cobwebs and made readied home for today.

FAKENHAM

Race 2 No2 BILL AND BARN
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Kevin Jones

Having not put a foot wrong since joining his trainer, BILL AND BARN sets the standard for the others to aim at in this conditional jockeys’ handicap chase. After a couple of earning runs he made no mistake at Plumpton last time, and has the same capable pilot in the saddle.

Race 3 No2 SALLEY GARDENS (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Katie O’Farrell

SALLEY GARDENS enjoyed a bountiful autumn with successes at Perth and Huntingdon, latterly in first time cheek pieces. O’Farrell was in the hot seat that day, and can look forward to another good run from her mount, who is the one to beat.

Race 5 No1 TALKING ABOUT YOU
Trainer: Sean Curran – Jockey: Harry Bannister

TALKING ABOUT YOU proved a revelation in her first season over hurdles, landing a hat-trick in the run up to Christmas before consolidating when her sights were raised in the New Year. She is very effective on a tight track like this, and could surprise paper favourite Megan, on whom a gamble went astray last time.

LINGFIELD PARK

Race 1 No1 SIDI ISMAEL
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore

SIDI ISMAEL was a regular earner when trained in the North and now embarks on the second phase of his career off top weight in this long-distance handicap hurdle. A strong traveller, he can give recent scorer May Last Oscar plenty to think about at a value price.

Race 3 No4 PIPESMOKER (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass

PIPESMOKER is on a recovery mission following his heavy defeat at Ffos Las when his trainer’s horses weren’t as fit as at present. He had a good blow after the race and that should have readied him for a much-improved display. He is the one they all have to beat on the best of his form from last season.

Race 5 No2 SEDDON (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Sdrian Heskin

Former useful bumper horse SEDDON is being campaigned back over hurdles, and while needing to improve from an underwhelming run at Fontwell last time, where he got tired, he could do so given the ground will be softer.