Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Wincanton, Catterick Bridge, Newcastle and Wolverhampton on Tuesday 15 December 2020.
WINCANTON
Trainer: Mark Gillard – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
JOHN BETJEMAN has posted a couple of near-misses over
hurdles but not managed to match that in his runs on the Flat. Although beaten
a long way on his seasonal reappearance last month, the gelding was having a
first outing for almost four months and might have needed it to put the edge on
him.
Race 3 No1 MESSIRE DES OBEAUX (Nap)
Trainer, Alan King – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
But for being plagued with injury over the past three
years-plus, MESSIRE DES OBEAUX would surely have gone a long way, as his novice
form over hurdles was near top class. A Grade 1 winner who finished third in
the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, he makes his entrance
to the chasing fray late in his career but is fancied to begin to make up for
lost time.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 4 No7 INDIGO LAKE
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The blinkered INDIGO LAKE has been well tutored for a jumps
career after scoring twice on the Flat for John Gosden. The Frankel gelding
stayed well and showed an affinity for cut in the ground before changing
stables after the Horses In Training Sales. He is fancied to make an immediate
impact in the juvenile division.
Race 6 No3 OUTCROP (Nap)
Trainer: Jennie Candlish – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
OUTCROP has looked progressive since being switched to
fences, finishing second to multiple winner Equus Dancer at Sedgefield and
going one better over a slightly shorter trip at Market Rasen. He’s taken a
hike in the weights but in current mood should prove hard to stop.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No4 QUEST FOR FUN (Nap)
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Kevin Stott
QUEST FOR FUN has raced exclusively on Tapeta and shown
ability on both outings, finishing in mid division on debut before going down
in a photo to Kratos when pulled back to today’s trip of six furlongs. The Lope
De Vega gelding boasts the best form in this race, and should prove hard to
beat.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 4 No6 RIVER CHORUS (Nap)
Trainer: James Tate – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Mehmas filly RIVER CHORUS has taken home a cheque on all
three career starts on the all-weather, and now makes her debut at Dunstall
Park. She is well drawn, and as the most experienced runner in the field sets
the standard the others have to aim at.
Race 5 No6 HOODWINKER
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Having been turned over when odds-on for a soft ground
maiden at Fontainebleau, HOODWINKER now tries her luck on the all-weather. The
daughter of Fast Company will get fewer more straightforward opportunities in
which to open her account.
Race 7 No9 STREET POET (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: James Sullivan
Course specialist STREET POET hinted when troubling the
judge here earlier in the month that he’s getting ready to strike soon. This
contest is set up beautifully for his stalking style and from a good draw he
can get into the shake-up at a working man’s price.
