Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Monday 27 December 2021

KEMPTON PARK

Race 2 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)

No1 EDWARDSTONE
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon

After a shaky start to his chasing career, EDWARDSTONE has made up for lost time with a vengeance and is unlucky not to be unbeaten over fences. He would almost certainly have prevailed on chase debut in a Doncaster handicap but for unseating exactly a year ago. He was then brought down when going much the best at Warwick but has shown with a winning return to that track and success in a Grade 1 novice chase at Sandown that he’s a leading candidate for the Arkle Trophy at next year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Race 3 No5 CODED MESSAGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey:

CODED MESSAGE makes her third appearance in this contest, having won it in 2019 and finished an honourable third to Molly Ollys Wishes 12 months ago. She is going to appreciate the cut in the ground and should have been brought to the boil by a readying comeback run behind Tequila Blaze at Ascot, for which she is now better off with that rival at the weights.

Race 4 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2)

No3 SHISHKIN
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville

All eyes will be on last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase hero SHISHKIN to preserve his unbeaten record on this belated return to the fray. His trainer received criticism for not bringing the seven-year-old back at in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, but the gelding’s standard of work has be all accounts improved since then. He’s never been especially flamboyant on the home gallops anyhow, and even if turning up slightly undercooked for this key Cheltenham trial, he should outclass his foes, of whom the Timgle Creek winner GREANETEEN is clearly the most respected.

Race 6 No8 TIMBERMAN (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey:

I’m convinced TIMBERMAN will prove a bet worth waiting for in the nightcap, given the impressive way he trounced the useful Paso Doble in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle last month. In one electric move, the six-year-old went from last to first to score doing handstands, and without knowing he’d been in a race. The selection has a mercurial side to his character, but such a resonant success will have done wonders for his confidence levels.

One to have a saver on at longer odds is EDDIEMAURICE, winner of the corresponding race in 2019, and appearing in the contest for a fifth year in succession. While getting longer in the tooth, he ran way better than his finishing position indicates at Ascot the other day in an exercise that should have made him cherry ripe for this.

CHEPSTOW

Race 5 Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

No19 HILL SIXTEEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Craig Nichol

Although he takes a patchy record to post, Scottish raider HILL SIXTEEN nevertheless has plenty to recommend him following his narrow defeat in the Becher Chase at Aintree. The eight-year-old made that game mare Snow Leopardess pull out all to stops to signal he had rediscovered the same improved level of form as when making his previous switch of stables. Furthermore, the record shows he likes Chepstow, as he finished second in a novice hurdle on his only previous visit three years ago.

IWILLDOIT has commanded a place at the head of the ante-post market even since landing the trial over a shorter three miles here at the start of the month. With very few miles on the clock the eight-year-old should be on the premises and take home a major cheque.

The 2020 winner SECRET REPRIEVE has been prevented from reappearing until now, meaning his fitness for such a gruelling contest has to be taken on trust, but trainer Evan Williams believes he has the gelding ready.

HIGHLAND HUNTER is a strong travelling individual from the stable of the champion trainer. Off only five outings over fences he should have more to offer, and will be dangerous if taking to it.

Prediction: 1st HILL SIXTEEN, 2nd Iwilldoit, 3rd Highland Hunter, 4th Secret Reprieve

Race 6 No1 BRINKLEY (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore

BRINKLEY showed tenacity to pull his chase debut at Huntingdon out of the fire after looking clearly beaten. The grey now has to give away weight all round in this novices’ limited handicap chase, but is reported in good order and can follow up.

WETHERBY

Race 2 No1 HARBOUR LAKE (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Brian Hughes

Jockeys title trailblazer Hughes makes a rare link with King but it should be rewarded with a triumph for HARBOUR LAKE. The Shantou gelding was a hugely impressive scorer on debut under Rules at this track and though the form was let down by the second, he has scope for abundant progression.

Race 5 No2 CHEDDLETON
Trainer: Jennie Candlish – Jockey: Sean Quinlan

CHEDDLETON is a fascinating candidate for the featured Castleford Chase on his belated return to action. Being by Shirocco he will greatly enjoy any give in the ground, and has shown with earning runs in each of his six starts over fences (including two successes) that he’s got more to offer in this discipline.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 6 No3 UMM HURAIR (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Charlton – Jockey: Harry Burns

UMM HURAIR has landed back-to-back handicaps here with any amount in hand, but taken a hike in the weights for her troubles. For this big step up the class ladder she is ridden by a capable apprentice who takes 5lb off her back, and she can complete a fine hat-trick.

Place Accumulater Perm (Races 2-8)

2 x 5, 4 x 11, 10, 3 x 4, 1 x 3 x 4, 7, 2 x 4, 8, 6

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