Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday 1 January 2022

CHELTENHAM

Race 1 No3 I AM MAXIMUS
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville

A step up the distance ladder can see I AM MAXIMUS putting in a career-best in a strongly contested opener. The six-year-old was more settled when opening his account over jumps at Newbury, and over this longer trip will have a better chance of repeating that. He remains one of the budding stars in the powerful Seven Barrows academy.

Race 3 Paddy Power Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)

No3 COME ON TEDDY (Nap)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke

Former top handicap hurdler COME ON TEDDY looked to score more cosily than the neck margin indicates on his chase debut at Uttoxeter. Off a patient ride, he jumped economically and was in fact in control over the last two fences. He has delighted his trainer with his subsequent progress at home, and can make a big step up the class ladder in his stride to take out this cracking contest.

Race 4 No12 VIENNA COURT (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Now that VIENNA COURT has put a chasing success on the board she is worth following, and that recent course form can stand her in good stead as she moves into a very competitive all-sex handicap. This month’s big race winner Coole Cody and top weight Funambule Sivola are a couple I greatly respect, but Vienna Court trotted up in the manner of a mare that has suddenly made great strides, and she’s worth backing to trouble the judge at a big double-figure price.

Race 5 No9 TAMAR BRIDGE
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Adrian Heskin

It was by the skin of his teeth that TAMAR BRIDGE prevailed on handicap debut at Aintree, though a mistake at the second-last flight certainly didn’t help his cause. He’s a big, lumbering individual, whose momentum was impaired sufficiently for him to have to fight for the spoils. His canny trainer now steps the seven-year-old up to three miles, over which distance he can make further progress.

EXETER

Race 1 No3 BROKEN HALO
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Lorcan Williams

BROKEN HALO did a very pleasing piece of work on Saturday to indicate he can notch a first success of the season in this novices’ limited handicap chase. He missed the whole of the 2019-20 campaign with a tendon injury, and when sent chasing off a mark of 128 ran well to take home a cheque at Chepstow. If making a step forward from that pleasing effort he should win.

Race 2 No1 AMERICAN GERRY (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Nathan Brennan

The best bet on the card is AMERICAN GERRY. He’s run well to a point on each of his three starts for his trainer, especially when chasing home Hermes Boy at Exeter. As that was his first run over hurdles there should be further progression to come, while this isn’t the hottest of contests by any means.

Race 3 No2 GAMARET
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Lorcan Williams

One from one in bumpers, GAMARET has schooled satisfactorily ahead of this first run over jumps. The Coastal Path gelding made a pleasing impression in that Ffos Las contest and should enjoy the underfoot conditions on this galloping track.

MUSSELBURGH

Race 1 No1 COLLINGHAM
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes

A market check is advised about newcomer Individualiste, but a wiser move could be to back the proven form of COLLINGHAM. The former French-trained selection ran into one when beaten by Skycutter at this venue but nevertheless battled all the way to the line. The streetwise nature of his profile can help swing things his way if he gets into another scrap.

Race 5 No2 AMOUR DE NUIT (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Bryony Frost

Dual-purpose horse AMOUR DE NUIT needs respecting after his long journey from Somerset. He’s earned in a wickedly competitive handicap hurdle and a better chase than this in just two outings this season has the ability to lead or be waited with and should give short shrift to his locally-based rivals.

CATTERICK BRIDGE

Race 5 No3 CATLIN (Nap)
Trainer: Nick Kent – Jockey: Paul O’Brien

On a card that doesn’t lend itself to hard punting, CATLIN can prove an exception to that rule. The mare responded to the fitting of cheekpieces to score with plenty in hand at Newcastle last month and has subsequently undergone a breathing operation. If that brings about further improvement, she can go back to back.

SOUTHWELL

Race 5 No10 WHITEANDBLUE (Nap)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Gianluca Sanna

WHITEANDBLUE can play the experience card to good effect and rates the best bet on the day’s only all-weather fixture. She has to overcome a nasty outside draw, but if getting out and across should outstrip her foes on this first visit to Southwell.

Race 7 No11 NAPPER TANDY (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert

The best race on the card can fall to NAPPER TANDY, who needs close inspection moving back onto the Tapeta surface. He’s run well in consecutive Chelmsford races since being switched to handicaps, and those efforts have armed him for this even hotter heat.

Place Accumulater Perm (Races 2-8)

6, 8 x 5, 12, 4 x 2 x 10 x 10, 7, 12 x 11, 6, 9 x 2, 14, 11

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