Neil Morrice brings you his best bets and tips from Bangor-On-Dee, Catterick Bridge, Chepstow, and Newcastle.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 1 No9 TED’S FRIEND
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Max Kendrick
Scratched from a tougher race than this last week, TED’S FRIEND should be happier in these calmer waters for a stable that is firing in the winners. His earning run in a Warwick bumper last month should have brought him to the boil, and he’s schooled well over hurdles at home.
Race 2 No5 WASHINGTON
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Aidan Coleman
The second division of the novices’ hurdle gives WASHINGTON the perfect opportunity to defend his unbeaten record under Rules, and score on his debut over jumps. The Westerner gelding smoothly landed bumpers at Fakenham and Huntingdon last season, and fitness will not be an issue on this first outing since March.
Race 7 No1 POLDARK CROSS (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
POLDARK CROSS a looks a bet worth waiting for in the nightcap. He schooled beautifully under Sheehan in Lambourn last week and is ready to add to his three earning runs in novice and handicap hurdles last season. The former Irish-based point winner has always looked the type to do better over fences, and will relish today’s longer trip.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 1 No2 MANILA SCOUSE (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
MANILA SCOUSE has grazed the woodwork recently with back-to-back seconds. The son of Acclaim brings the best form to the table and should open his account as an automatic favourite.
Race 7 No10 AFTER JOHN (Each Way)
Trainer: Harvey Bastiman – Jockey: Andrew Mullen
AFTER JOHN put in an underwhelming display in first-time cheekpieces at Pontefract, but if that run if forgiven he holds claims to get into the shake-up at a decent price in this sprint. He has his own ideas about the game, but if on a going day will be a threat to them all.
CHEPSTOW
Race 3 No4 DOCPICKEDME
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
With a run under his belt, DOCPICKDME is fit and ready for this first outing over fences. The former Irish point winner jumps especially well and is a horse to follow in the run-up to Christmas.
Race 6 No6 CHAMPAGNE RHYTHM (Nap)
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Adam Wedge
In receipt of weight from all his rivals, CHAMPAGNE RHYTHM looks a betting proposition in this novices’ limited handicap chase. Although it took him a while to get off the mark over hurdles, he did so with some ease at this course in late February. He has plenty of stamina in his pedigree, and if his jumping holds up has to go close.
Race 8 No6 HILLFINCH
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Mr James Turner
Hillstar filly HILLFINCH impressed on only start in a Market Rasen bumper in which she came home unchallenged. After that perfect start to her career she can shrug aside her penalty and remain unbeaten.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No1 CELTIC ART (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Mohammed Tabti
CELTIC ART ran into one when trounced by the younger Turntable at Newmarket. The Mastercraftsman gelding stayed on well up the final hill and has retained enough of his initial ability to have a big say in this.
Race 5 No4 RICH DREAM
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Make Believe gelding RICH DREAM is a lightly-raced individual with scope for improvement. He’s taken home a cheque in each of his four career starts and should give a good account on this first visit to Gosforth Park. On his only previous all-weather run he chased home Greystoke at Wolverhampton, which proves he goes on the Tapeta surface.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
5, 3 x 1, 6, 5 x 1, 6 x 3 x 4, 7 x 9, 8, 13 x
R72
