Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Exeter, Kempton Park, Newcastle, and Yarmouth on Tuesday 20 October 2020.
EXETER
Race 3: No5 – SHANTOU EXPRESS (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
Connections of SHANTOU EXPRESS look to have found the perfect opportunity for the gelding to gain a first success over jumps. The former Stratford bumper winner has proved costly to follow since his switch to hurdles, getting beaten at that course and at Uttoxeter when heavily backed. However, he drops back on the distance ladder today, and should make no mistake.
Race 4: No7 – OSCARS MOONSHINE
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
This long-distance handicap hurdle can go to the penalised OSCARS MOONSHINE, looking to strike while the iron’s hot following a snug success on handicap debut at Hereford last week. That signalled a big jump forward for the lightly-raced five-year-old who has developed both physically and mentally since returning from an eight-month absence.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1: No4 – SECRETFACT (Each Way)
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: Pat Cosgrave
SECRETFACT keeps knocking on the door and can gain a deserved first success in more than a year in this spring handicap round a bend. He faces mainly out of form rivals, and though not blessed with the best of the draw should post another frame finish at least if breaking on terms.
Race 8: No8 – TREATY OF DINGLE (Nap)
Trainer: Sean Curran – Jockey: Adam Kirby
The admirably consistent TREATY OF DINGLE reverts to the all-weather after two earning runs for his new trainer over hurdles. He’d previously returned from lockdown to put in three straight seconds and a win at a Lingfield, and is clearly in good heart for another earning run.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2: No4 – CROSSFORD
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Paul Hanagan
In two outings on Grade 1 courses, CROSSFORD, has posted frame finishes against decent rivals, making him the form pick in this novice stakes. The son of Dawn Approach is heading in the right direction and can thwart likely market leader Cordouan, who ran with promise on his debut at Doncaster.
Race 4: No6 – YAZAMAN (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Earning runs in three Group races, including the Gimcrack at York, make YAZAMAN the one to beat on the book in this conditions stakes. The son of Kodiac is a quirky individual for whom a visor has replaced blinkers on his last two outings, but though beaten into fourth of six in a Group 3 at Newmarket last time he was only beaten two and a half lengths by the winner La Barrosa. If putting it all together he can post a first win since his debut victory at Yarmouth back in June.
YARMOUTH
Race 3: No3 – ASPIRATION (Nap)
Trainer: Martyn Meade – Jockey: Tom Marquand
ASPIRATION has been a slow burner, but when last seen in July put in a much-improved display to chase home One Small Step at this course. She is bred to enjoy softening conditions, and with rain on the way should take full advantage of what looks like a good opportunity.
Race 7: No8 – SELECTO
Trainer: Roger Charlton – Jockey: Thomas Greatrex
Clearly amiss when tailed off at Haydock, SELECTO bounced back when narrowly denied by Bad Company at Leicester, enjoying the testing underfoot conditions. He should now be cherry ripe to go forward and take out this winnable contest.
