Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Warwick, Market Rasen, Kempton Park, and Lingfield Park.
WARWICK
Race 3 No2 FIDDLERONTHEROOF (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
FIDDLERONTHEROOF has the make and shape to handle stamina sapping conditions and can take out this three-cornered trial for the RSA Chase. Although beaten in three of his four outings since switching to fences, the seven-year-old has run into smart foes like Allart, but now moves up the distance ladder with a new jockey on board.
Race 4 No1 ADRIMEL
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Richard Johnson
Respect is paid to Make Me A Believer, whose stable is firing in the winners, but the claims of ADRIMEL appear stronger. The selection met with his only career defeat in the Festival Bumper, but around that he’s unbeaten in an Irish point , two bumpers and two hurdles, latterly storming home at Huntingdon. He’s in the mood to take this step up in class in his stride.
Race 5 No4 STORM CONTROL
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
From a stable that’s been amongst the winners this week, STORM CONTROL makes abundant appeal in the featured Classic Chase. He’s impressed in each of his last two outings at Cheltenham and is a young horse making upwardly mobile progression through the ranks. He jumps well, will handle the ground and looks set for a bold showing in a race where Le Breuil and Notachance should also be included in exotics.
MARKET RASEN
Race 4 No1 EDWARDSTONE (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Smart novice EDWARDSTONE is on a recovery mission, reverting to hurdles after what seemed a casual fall on chase debut at Doncaster. Fifth in the ultra competitive Greatwood Hurdle on seasonal reappearance, the selection hasn’t been asked a question at time of departure on Town Moor, and can take this handicap in his stride before returning to fences.
Race 5 No5 LIL ROCKERFELLER
Trainer: Neil King – Jockey: Bryony Frost
LIL ROCKERFELLER endured a year out owing to injury before returning to run a cracker when chasing home Hill Sixteen at Newbury. The ten-year-old looked as good as ever against that well treated rival, and is now poised to state his case for richer pickings as the season progresses.
Race 7 No4 EASY BUCKS
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: James Bowen
Uttoxeter has proved a happy hunting ground for EASY BUCKS this season, and after back-to-back triumphs at the Staffordshire venue he ran well in defeat against Robin Of Sherwood at Ffos Las. He’s been afforded a two month break since that busy period, with the intention of reappearing refreshed for what can prove an equally bountiful New Year campaign.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No7 STILETTO
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
The regally-bred STILETTO has an experience edge on his rivals that saw him progress from race to race in three outings last back end. He put in a career-best to chase home Kondo Ismani at Chelmsford, form which sets the bar for his rivals to aim at.
Race 5 No1 DISCOMATIC (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
Top weight DISCOMATIC takes the eye as the one to beat in this three-year-old handicap, and should end a frustrating sequence of seconditis. The Estidhkaar colt has shown a lining for three all-weather courses and can make his first visit to the Kempton Polytrack a winning one.
Race 6 No2 ATHEEB
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Louis Steward
ATHEEB needs respecting on this first outing for the in-form Boughey stable. The four-year-old enjoyed a productive time with Sir Michael Stoute with two successes, and looks the perfect type to act as a flag bearer for his new handler with scope for progression onto better things.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No8 CORAZON ESPINADO
Trainer: Simon Dow – Jockey: Tyler Heard
CORAZON ESPINADO could hardly have been more impressive when taking out a similar contest over seven furlongs here and will be equally happy stretching out to a mile off his revised mark. He’s getting weight from his seven rivals, and if turning up in the same mood will be hard to stop.
