Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Dundalk, Fakenham, Taunton, Nottingham, and Kempton Park.
DUNDALK
Race 2: No1 – SCHERZANDO
Trainer: Denis Hogan – Jockey: Paddy Harnett
SCHERZANDO to complete a fine hat-trick under a 6lb penalty for his game course win last week looks the way to go in an admittedly warmer contest. The Shamardal gelding dug deep to remain unbeaten on the Polytrack surface. He’s taken the race in his stride and can score again under the same capable apprentice.
Race 3: No13 – STARDAYZ (Nap)
Trainer: Jessica Harrington – Jockey: Shane Foley
Camelot filly STARDAYZ shaped with a deal of promise on debut here at the end of last month to suggest she could have too many guns for colts Hype and Jeroboam. She wasn’t in any way knocked about in finishing fourth to Mehnah and has learned bundles for that eye taking run.
Race 6: No9 – COINS CROSS
Trainer: Eddie Harty – Jockey: Mark Gallagher
Dragon Pulse gelding COINS CROSS was easy to back on debut at Naas but performed with a bundle of credit to chase home the impressive Giselles Thunder. That run has done wonders for him mentally, and affords him a good chance of taking out this maiden in which a midfield draw gives his pilot options.
FAKENHAM
Race 2: No2 – WICKED WILLY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Having failed to get his act together in four outings last season, WICKED WILLIE finds himself at the bottom end of the ladder in a selling chase. However, at the age of nine and with few recent miles on the clock the gelding can still pay his way over fences. He meets three veterans and may find fellow nine-year-old Master Burridge the main threat.
Race 5: No4 – MICK PASTOR
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
The hooded MICK PASTOR has the best hurdling form to bring to the table in this novices chase. He’s a free-going individual who if jumping the fences as well as he’s schooled should prove a tough foe for his three rivals to reel in. Furthermore, he underwent corrective wind surgery in the close season that is also thought to have benefitted him.
Race 7: No1 – SUN RISING HILL (Nap)
Trainer: Alex Hales – Jockey: Mr B Brackenbury
SUN RISING HILL can successfully defend a two-race unbeaten record in this bumper. Having breezed home in his only point-to-point he took out a Market Rasen bumper in equally decisive fashion and can now shrug off a 7lb penalty.
TAUNTON
Race 3: No11 – BOMBER’S MOON (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Mark Grant
BOMBER’S MOON failed to menace in three handicap hurdles last season in a campaign again restricted by training issues. However, there was much to like about his comeback effort when placed in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter. Owned by former trainer Jim Old, he looks set for another earning run.
Race 5: No3 – BATHIVA (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
BATHIVA looks interesting on debut for his trainer, a first run since scoring in a novices’ handicap chase the day before the Cheltenham Festival back in March. That was only a second outing over fences for the gelding who should pay his way for his new connections around the smaller tracks.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 2: No7 – SWORD BEACH
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Joe Fanning
SWORD BEACH came good at this time last season and has served notice that his return to the winner’s circle is at hand with a sequence of four placed efforts. With conditions in his favour he looks set for another earning run and can give recent scorers Flying West and Espresso Freddo plenty to think about.
Race 6: No4 – CADEAU D’OR (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Rob Hornby
This presents CADEAU D’OR with a good opportunity to open his account on the back of narrow defeats at Salisbury and Ascot. The gelded son of Le Havre has looked better with each step up the distance ladder and now moves up to a mile and threequarters with everything in his favour.
KEMPTON
Race 8: No2 – ALMIGHWAR (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Jim Crowley
The impeccably-bred ALMIGHWAR can successfully return from a more than 100-day break in this hotly contested handicap for three-year-olds only. The son of Dubawi and Oaks and ‘ King George’ winner Taghrooda showed a liking for this course with a couple of silk-smooth triumphs in novices during the summer and is a horse with the potential to be a Group horse in the course of time.
