Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at Ludlow, Taunton, and Sedgefield.
LUDLOW
Race 1: No9 – SHORE SHANTY (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
SHORE SHANTY troubled the judge in bumpers here 11 months ago and on reappearance at Uttoxeter when finding only Ishkhara Lady too strong. She jumps well and can put this maiden hurdle on the board for her in-form trainer.
Race 2: No2 – GO AS YOU PLEASE
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Ritchie McLernon
GO AS YOU PLEASE possesses admirable consistency, an attribute that can’t be afforded to more than a couple of those taking him on in this novices’ handicap chase. He comfortably delivered the goods at Warwick in September, and in spite of a 6lb rise ran well to finish second at Lingfield on his next outing. This better ground will play to the strengths of the selection.
Race 5: No8 – NUMBERONESON
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Overpriced Mixer sets the standard for the others to aim at in this juvenile hurdle after scoring on debut at Kempton, but this miler on the Flat could prove vulnerable under a penalty and I’m taking him on with NUMBERONESON. The Camelot colt was rated 78 when with Joseph O’Brien in Ireland, landing a Leopardstown handicap on his final start. He’s schooled well and can outstay the favourite.
TAUNTON
Race 1: No9 – MIZEN MASTER
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Callum McKinnes
Although he hasn’t run over jumps for more than two years, MIZZEN MASTER makes plenty of appeal in this selling hurdle, having won and run well in each of his last two starts in the all-weather at Wolverhampton. Fitness is therefore not an issue to the seven-year-old who gets the nod over Larch Hill.
Race 2: No4 – DIOCLETIAN
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Page Fuller
A third runner in the National Hunt sphere for his trainer in the past few days, DIOCLETIAN brings some good form in handicaps and a Listed race on the Flat to the table for this maiden hurdle. He was beaten only four and a half lengths by stablemate Spanish Mission in that black-type race at Chester, and if taking to these obstacles should prove hard to beat.
Race 7: No2 – ROSE TO FAME
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
ROSE TO FAME won just as she liked over the minimum distance at Taunton in late October, showing no signs of stopping at the business end. She steps up to two miles and three furlongs under a 6lb penalty and can follow-up for a stable that has its team in very good order.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 5: No2 – PRIME VENTURE (Nap)
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Underachiever PRIME VENTURE gets the chance to tee himself up for a bountiful season by taking out this three-runner affair. He’s run well in very competitive handicap chases and although failing to complete on a couple of occasions his form is better than it looks at first glance. His trainer starts him back without blinkers, and if putting in an unblemished round of jumping he should be good enough.
Race 6: No2 – C’EST LE BONHEUR
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland – Jockey: Brian Hughes
C’EST LE BONHEUR landed a bumper here just over two years ago and has troubled the judge on both outings over hurdles during the autumn. When third to the useful My Way at Stratford he responded well to the fitting of a hood which is retained for what should prove a straightforward assignment for the gelding.
