Neil Morrice shares his best bets and tips for Sunday's racing coming your way from Plumpton, Ayr and Newcastle on 2 January 2022.
PLUMPTON
Race 1 No1 GRANDEUR D’AME (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Although not always fluent at his hurdles, GRANDEUR D’AME got the job done by a wide margin to open his account over jumps at Fakenham. That was a pleasing first run for his trainer, and he can defy a penalty at the main expense of Aucunrisque.
Race 5 No11 PEMBERLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
The featured Sussex National go to PEMBERLEY, whose exploits over fences suggest he’s going to be far better at chasing than he was a hurdler. Having earned in each of his first three outings since the switch, he opened his account at Warwick in similarly testing conditions to those he’ll encounter in this marathon. Another to consider to get into the money is I See You Well, who in seven visits to this track boasts five successes.
AYR
Race 1 No6 LAND AFAR
Trainer: Stuart Crawford – Jockey: Brian Hughes
The joker in the pack in an interesting opener is Irish raider LAND AFAR, who caught the judge’s eye in a hotly contested point-to-point at Dromahane. He’s returning from a massive lay off, but is the best hands to give the vulnerable Captain Biggles plenty to think about.
Race 3 No9 PAT’S PICK
Trainer: Stuart Crawford – Jockey: Brian Hughes
The eye is drawn to PAT’S PICK on his debut for the Crawford stable and with title race pacesetter Hughes in the irons. The trainer also fields Kingfisher Lane who is not without a chance in his own right, but Pat’s Pick is a horse that operates well coming off a break, is lightly-raced with scope for improvement and needs respecting.
Race 7 No1 CLAN LEGEND (Nap)
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Veteran CLAN LEGEND looked as good as ever when scorning with plenty up his sleeve at Aintree, and can now add to his good record at this track where he’s a dual scorer over hurdles. He’s been a wonderfully consistent earner for connections, and although facing a couple of in-form rivals has the benefit of Hughes in the plate.
NEWCASTLE
Race 5 No1 BLESS HIM (Nap)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
The hooded BLESS HIM scored on his first outing on 2021 and can repeat the feat by outclassing his foes in this conditions race. The much-travelled eight-year-old was placed in a Group 2 at last year’s Meydan Carnival and this represents a handy drop in grade for him.
Race 6 No2 KING OF YORK
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: Jonathan Fisher
It will be interesting to see how KING OF YORK fares on his first start from a new stable. He’s got plenty of ability, but has proved expensive to follow so far, though elements of his form make him the one to beat.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
8, 9, 2 x 3 x 3 x 4, 1 x 1, 4 x 2 x 1, 5
R24
