Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Hereford, Wetherby, Lingfield Park and Kempton Park.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No7 BUMPY JOHNSON (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore
Former
point-to-pointer BUMPY JOHNSON shaped like a horse to follow when smoothly
getting off the mark under Rules in a Fontwell bumper. Hailing from a stable
that looks to have a stronger team of novices than in recent seasons, the
four-year-old can make an immediate impact on this switch to jumps.
Race 2 No1 FANCY FOUNDATIONS
Trainer: Gordon Elliott – Jockey: Robbie Power
While respect is afforded to impressive bumper winner Hoi Polloi, the proven form over jumps of Irish raider FANCY FOUNDATIONS sways the balance towards him even though he has to shoulder a penalty for his impressive success at Downpatrick. The Kayf Tara gelding returns from a short break, but the sheer fact his trainer is bringing him to this course is a tip in itself.
WETHERBY
Race 2 No5 NUMBERONESON
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
NUMBERONESON underwhelmed after attracting support on his debut for this yard at Ludlow but came back with excuses. The Camelot gelding was ridden to utilize his stamina, only to find himself in trouble before the home turn. He had won a mile and a quarter handicap for Joseph O’Brien, and now that his new trainer has had more time to get to know him it might inspire big improvement.
Race 7 No9 THEDABBER (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: David Noonan
Maiden
point scorer THEDABBER has pleased in her build-up for this first outing under
Rules. Her trainer does well with this type of individual when making the long
haul from Somerset to Yorkshire, a statistic that can be further underlined
with a victory by the five-year-old in the concluding mares’ bumper.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No7 BRUNEL’S BOY (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
BRUNEL’S
BOY suffered interference in his latest outing here when denied a gap in the
short straight. The incident knocked him out of contention, and while he might
not have won he would probably have finished a lot closer. His trainer added
cheek pieces that day and now reaches for a visor, a device that could see him
pop up at a fancy price, as he definitely has more ability than shown so far.
Race 7 No9 CHAPPAQUIDDICK
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: David Probert
CHAPPAQUIDDICK takes the eye on debut in this second division of the novice stakes. The beautifully-bred daughter of Camelot is the only filly against males, but if reproducing her encouraging home form can surprise as a respected roughie.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No1 POPMASTER (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Tom Marquand
The Chris Wright colours can be carried with credit again through the promising POPMASTER. He looked good value for his debut success over course and distance last month, defying a market drift in snug fashion. He faces strong competition from Katy’s Toyboy and Tigerhon, but has the scope to defy his penalty from the rail.
Race 3 No5 JAAFEL
Trainer: Brian Meehan – Jockey: Jim Crowley
From a stable whose runners usually improve a bundle from their first outing, JAAFEL can step up to the plate and take out this novice stakes. He got the hang of things late in proceedings when third on debut over course and distance, but from a very good draw can show how much he’s learned from that.
DUNDALK BEST
Race 3 No13 ORCHID GARDENS (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Halford – Jockey: Sam Ewing
Having
finished in the first four in each of her nine career starts, ORCHID GARDENS
needs to shake off her tag of being a perennial bridesmaid. The daughter of
Muhaarar can achieve that courtesy of two new and important factors. First, her
trainer equips her with cheek pieces to aid concentration, while capable
apprentice Ewing takes of a valuable 7lb on his first ride on the filly.
Race 5 No9 OVERTAKE
Trainer: Michael Halford – Jockey: Ronan Whelan
The
blinkered OVERTAKE has looked an improved performer without managing to win so
far this year. The application of headgear following his more than two-month
break in mid-summer has seen him run Jackmel close over course and distance and
then finish just out of the money in a couple of more strongly contested
handicaps. The selection is well-positioned to take out a cheque today.
Race 7 No4 BLUE BUNNY (Each Way)
Trainer: Kieran Cotter – Jockey: Tom Madden
BLUE
BUNNY has started at odds of 100-1 and upon all three starts in order to
obtain a mark, and should not be underestimated now going down the handicap
route. The daughter of Markaz stepped up on previous efforts to trouble the
judge on her first Polytrack start, an effort that augers well for this task.
Race 8 No1 WAR HERO
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness – Jockey: Cian MacRedmond
Since
switching to the Poly, WAR HERO has delivered a number of encouraging efforts
and is fully deserving of a change of luck. It might be best to draw a line
through his disappointing run last time, when things didn’t work out for him.
However, a return to earlier back-to-back near-misses in October would see him
right in the shake-up.
