Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing at Exeter, Ffos Las, Chelmsford City and Southwell on 16 December 2021.
EXETER
Race 2 No5 GRIS GRIS TOP
Trainer: Michael Scudamore – Jockey: Richie McLernon
The grey GRIS GRIS TOP caught a real tartar when running into Transfer Friendly at this course and now gets the chance to step up from that. He looks the most likely of the market leaders to run his race, although a market check on Horn Cape is also advised.
Race 3 No8 GUERNESEY (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
GUERNESEY finished with gusto at Taunton last week to carry on a creditably consistent run of form in handicaps. With more in front of him than behind turning into the straight, he powered home to catch all but Highway One O Two. A winner over this course and distance in the autumn, he is reported to have taken those recent exertions in his stride.
Race 4 No15 ST ERNEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Jackie Du Plessis – Jockey: James Best
The recent course form of ST ERNEY makes him a solid betting entity for the day’s feature. He’s looked a different horse with those winning and placed efforts, yet receives weight from the vast majority of his foes.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No1 FINE CASTING (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
FONE CASTING paid the price for taking too keen a grip at Uttoxeter last month when beaten by Storm Of Light. It was nevertheless a big step up on his first run over hurdles, and this attractive individual can now go one better.
Race 3 No7 POLDARK CROSS (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Value seekers should give POLDARK CROSS the opportunity to redeem himself after his underwhelming seasonal return at Bangor. His jumping gradually fell apart that day, but his trainer has worked on it, giving the gelding seven weeks to recover. If getting into a rhythm he can put in an earning run.
Race 4 No4 BOWTOGREATNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
BOWTOGREATNESS was easy to back when falling in Lydford Lad’s race at this course last month. He had good form in bumpers last season, and if transferring that to hurdles can be competitive at a working man’s price.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No2 FIREBOMB (Nap)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Gianluca Sanna
It’s a surprise that FIREBOMB hasn’t won so far, and his five earning efforts from seven starts suggest he may lack resolve. I would not subscribe to that theory as he went down fighting on his latest starts at Redcar and Newcastle. He handled this surface when visiting Gosforth Park, and has a solid chance of going one better.
Race 7 No6 SKITTLEBOMBZ
Trainer: Tom Dascombe – Jockey: PJ McDonald
SKITTLEBOMBZ runs off the same mark as when beaten in a photo at Newcastle last week. It marked an improvement on his only other all-weather run and makes him of serious interest sticking to the Tapeta surface on a first visit to this course.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No4 PERCY JONES (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Ron Hornby
Sir Percy colt PERCY JONES sticks to novice company after obtaining a handicap mark with his second at Lingfield, which marked a first visit to the all-weather. His trainer looks to have found a good winning opportunity for him, as he’s drawn much better than market rival Themoonsaballoon.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
1 x 4 x 2, 1 x 3 x 6, 3 x 5 x 7, 1, 8
R12
