Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Fontwell Park, Uttoxeter, Wolverhampton and Southwell on Tuesday 8 December 2020.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 3 No2 MIDNIGHT GLANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Since her return from lockdown, MIDNIGHT GLANCE has shown herself to be a rejuvenated operator, posting back-to-back triumphs at Plumpton for today’s pilot. The handicapper has had his say, but in a race where all the other runners have been out of form she’s the logical choice to complete a fine hat-trick.
Race 4 No1 KILBRICKEN STORM
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Harry Cobden
As a former Cheltenham Festival winner and still relatively young at the age of nine, KILBRICKEN STORM could outclass his foes under top weight in this handicap chase. It’s interesting that this is just a fourth career starts over fences for the gelding, who spent all of last season contesting Graded or strongly-contested handicap hurdles. He ran well to a point before being pulled up at Bangor on seasonal reappearance in a chase, and may well have blown up.
Race 5 No1 LITTLE RIVER BAY
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Richard Johnson
LITTLE RIVER BAY impressively opened her account under Rules in a similar contest at Wincanton, powering clear of Sashenka on the run-in. That form compares favourably with the Ludlow triumph of Shore Shanty, leaving Meep Meep Mag as a potentially bigger threat. She’s a point and bumper scorer that has been well tutored for this switch to hurdling.
UTTOXETER
Race 3 No4 UMBRIGADO (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore
UMBRIGADO has been selectively campaigned since returning from a wind operation at the beginning of last season but put in a huge run in a valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock, when chasing home War Lord. He travelled strongly and looked all over the winner when given the office approaching the final flight, only to be mugged in the final 100 yards. He’s one of the best prospects at Pond House Stables and fully expected to deliver on this first run over fences.
Race 6 No9 LANDOFSMILES (Each Way)
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: James Bowen
The value play here could be LANDOFSMILES who looks dangerous getting weight from his foes. The long-standing maiden has shown ability in bumpers and over hurdles, and wasn’t disgraced on a belated debut over fences at Ffos Las, from which he is thought to have derived a good deal of benefit.
Race 7 No11 TIME TO MOVE ON
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Conor Brace
Attention in this maiden hurdle is drawn to TIME TO MOVE ON who boasts an impressive unbeaten record in bumpers and has attracted market support for each of his subsequent outings over jumps. The Flemensfirth gelding was returning from a 22-month absence when just out of the money in a big field of maidens at Lingfield, a readying run that should have brought him forward.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No3 GHOSTLY
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Faye McManoman
Picked up cheaply at the sales, GHOSTLY never did anything in a hurry for his former handler but could find the necessary improvement brought about by a change of scenery to be competitive in this back end nursery. The grey wasn’t beaten far in each of his last four starts and has a good draw from which to operate on his first outing on Fibresand.
Race 3 No3 CARROTHERS
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
A wide draw might not be ideal for CARROTHERS, but there aren’t many that can win this novice stakes and he really caught the eye when taking home a cheque on debut at Newcastle. The Mshawish colt has benefitted greatly from that initial visit to the racecourse.
Race 4 No3 THRAVE
Trainer: Mick Appleby – Jockey: Frederick Larson
THRAVE has travelled on a downward spiral for well over a year, failing to have his early career ability rekindled in spells with two different trainers. Good enough on the Flat to be placed in the Lingfield Derby Trial, he’s finished out with the washing on his last five starts for Appleby, though admittedly in far better company. He receives both a first-time eye shield and blinkers for this drop into claiming company, and is worth a final chance to put his best foot forward.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 4 No7 SHIELDED (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
This stable have a good record with its runners at Dunstall Parka and can connect again with the once-raced SHIELDED. The son of Buratino was too green to do himself justice on debut at Chelmsford but interestingly started an 11-4 second favourite. He’s going to be wiser and mentally sharper today.
Race 5 No9 SEA LA ROSA
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
SEA LA ROSA is an interesting prospect on second start after troubling the judge in what looked a good novice here won by Pomelo. She’s drawn alongside likely market rival Romantic Song, and has more scope for improvement than her rival.
