Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Exeter, Bangor-On-Dee, Ayr, and Kempton Park.
EXETER
Race 2: No3 – RANCH HAND
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Page Fuller
A first runner over hurdles in almost three years for the trainer and carrying the colours of his father Ian’s best horse Mill Reef, RANCH HAND takes impressive Flat form into this novices’ hurdle. He was last seen landing a Listed race at Newmarket in September when beating Withhold in a tight finish, the first time he’d tackled today’s distance of two miles this season.
Race 4: No3 – MR CLARKSON
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: David Noonan
Ofalltheginjoints commands respect off top weight in this novices’ limited handicap chase, but offering value on his reappearance is MR CLARKSON, who has won first time out in two of the last three seasons. The eight-year-old landed back-to-back victories in the summer last year but has shown an affinity for some cut in the ground. He’s always been well thought of at Pond House, and should not be underestimated.
Race 5: No1 – FIDDLERONTHEROOF (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Robbie Power
With race fitness assured as well as the experience of a recent run over fences, FIDDLERONTHEROOF is preferred to Sporting John in what looks a straight match for this fascinating beginners’ chase. The selection couldn’t contain If The Cap Fits at Ffos Las but last season’s Tolworth Hurdle victor will be sharper and can give his stable a welcome winner on the way to much better things.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 3: No8 – KILBRICKEN STORM (Each Way)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Boldmere is of interest in this competitive handicap chase after blowing upon his comeback, but for value KILBRICKEN STORM also makes plenty of appeal. The former Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner experienced a mixed bag over timber last season when contesting top staying hurdles and is a fascinating returner to fences, having won one of only two previous outings as a novice two years ago.
Race 7: No8 – TOOK THE LOT (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Stratford bumper winner TOOK THE LOT made an encouraging switch to hurdles when second to Lord Accord at Fontwell. That followed an absence of more than a year, and the gelding will now be fully primed.
AYR
Race 2: No1 – ALAPHILIPPE (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
Former pointer ALAPHILIPPE made a perfect start under Rules with a snug bumper triumph at Ffos Las. He revelled in the testing conditions in Wales and will appreciate going back over obstacles, having also won his final race between the flags when based in Ireland.
Race 3: No2 – STOP TALKING
Trainer: Jennie Candlish – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
STOP TALKING travelled best for much of the journey on his first outing for a year over today’s course and distance. That should have blown away any cobwebs and made the gelding razor-sharp under his 5lb higher mark.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3: No8 – ELMETTO
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: William Buick
Previous winners Desert Flyer and Crackling have to shoulder penalties, giving ELMETTO a chance to cash in on the allowances afforded to a filly taking on males. The daughter of Helmet made PENPAL pull out all the stops on debut at this course earlier in the month, and can build on that as she is more streetwise.
Race 4: No1 – URBAN VIOLET (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
URBAN VIOLET was most impressive opening her account against mainly backward opposition at Newmarket and now enjoys a plum post position from which her pilot can be equally positive. The Cityscape filly was never in danger in the final quarter-mile of that contest and can prove too strong for Khezaana and Desert Star, who are both drawn wide.
