Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday 22 January 2022

ASCOT

Race 5 No3 AMOUR DE NUIT
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden

Dual-purpose horse AMOUR DE NUIT gained a confidence boosting success in Scotland and is enjoying life back over fences. With his ability to race from either the front or under restraint, his jockey has options to employ in this competitive affair.

Race 6 SBK Clarence House Chase (Grade 1)

No4 SHISHKIN (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville

Reigning two mile champion chaser SHISHKIN will put plenty more on the gate for this showdown with exciting Irish fencer Energumene. The latter has built up an impressive unbeaten sequence over fences in his homeland, but in Shishkin meets the best there’s been since the brilliant Sprinter Sacre over this 3000 metres trip. On first start since wind surgery the selection dotted up in Kempton’s Desert Orchid Chase and is the winner of six chases from as many starts, including last year’s Arkle. Energumene has started odds-on for each of his own seven races over hurdles and fences. Impressive though he looked in taking out a Grade 2 at Cork last month, he will need to be a superstar to down the favourite.
The 2021 winner of this First Flow will have to raise his game in order to cause a massive upset, while the only other runner Amoola Gold appears hopelessly outclassed.

Race 7 No1 CHARLES RITZ (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke

The best value option on this card is CHARLES RITZ, a gelded son of Milan who looked useful when scoring on debut under Rules in a similar contest at Southwell. Though taking a notable step up the class ladder, he is very well regarded by his trainer, and should not be underestimated.

HAYDOCK PARK

Race 1 No4 SHAKEM UP’ARRY (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods

Papa Tango Charly could have more to offer as he seeks to complete a four-timer but the one to be on is SHAKEM UP’ARRY who is a horse to follow for the remainder of the season. A horse that gallops with his head bent low, he was a useful operator over hurdles and based on the way he landed a handicap chase over this course and distance last month can prove even better in this sphere.

Race 4 Peter Marsh Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)

No3 SAM BROWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball – Jockey: Aidan Coleman

SAM BROWN was having just a fifth outing in two years when finishing a remote third to Protektorat in a Grade 2 at Aintree in which the holding ground took its toll on him in the home straight. However, he showed for a long way that he’s retained much of his ability, and that with few miles on his racing clock he still has room for progression. It would be no surprise to see him step up from that and get into the shake-up in this open contest.

Race 6 No4 THOMAS MACDONAGH
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

THOMAS MACDONAGH reacted well to first time cheek pieces when chasing home Keep Wondering at this course at the turn of the year. It marked a big step up on his previous offerings this season, and even though the winner let the form down earlier in the week, he’s worth supporting to gain a first success in a year.

TAUNTON

Race 1 No2 CHARLIE’S GLANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Martin – Jockey: Harry Kimber

CHARLIE’S GLANCE made a good fist of it against odds-on Lydford at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. He has taken on the likes of Jonbon over hurdles and Our Jester and beaten the latter in a bumper, making him the proverbial good thing in the opener.

LINGFIELD PARK

Race 2 No9 CELTIC ART (Each Way)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Hollie Doyle

CELTIC ART put in a solid first run for his trainer when second to C’EST No Mour here on New Year’s Eve. The chestnut is well drawn for one that likes to race handily, and can take home a cheque to show that he’s benefitted from the change of scenery.

Race 4 No10 BONITA B (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass

BONITA B has been a captain of industry for her connections, so it was greatly deserved when she belatedly opened her account at Wolverhampton last time. Interestingly that was only her third start on sand, suggesting there could be more to come from this free-going individual.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 3 No2 DARK FLYER (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey: Joshua Bryan

DARK FLYER was beaten by the width of a well smoke cigarette on third career start at Chelmsford. The Gutaifan colt has improved from race to race, and looks in a good place to take out this weakly contested affair.

Race 4 No2 BASS STRAIT (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley

Beasley has excelled on his handful of rides for Channon. His mount BASS STRAIT drops back to a maiden after troubling the judge in a Lingfield handicap in which she didn’t enjoy the best of runs. The Cityscape filly will enjoy this step up the distance ladder.

Race 5 No3 OLD PORT
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: Adam Kirby

OLD PORT looked to have improved when landing some good bets on handicap debut here earlier in the month. He’s well drawn, and should prove hard to beat from his revised mark.

Place Accumulater Perm (Races 2-8)

6 x 2 x 2, 1, 3 x 3, 2, 4 x 3, 5, 8 x 3, 9 x 6, 1, 4

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