Neil Morrice best bets and tips – 8 January 2024

TAUNTON

Race 2 No12 JOYEUSE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: James Bowen

JOYEUSE can live up to her name by delivering as a hot favourite for top connections in the first division of the maiden hurdle. The half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Epatante returns from well over a year off the track after scoring on her only outing in France in the autumn of 2022. She’s well regarded at Seven Barrows, and in spite of meeting stern opposition from Tutti Quanti should be good enough.

Race 5 No4 MR FREEDOM (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Marc Goldstein

MR FREEDOM hasn’t enjoyed the rub of the green of late, and could pop up at a working man’s price in this well-contested handicap hurdle. He meets a potentially dangerous foe in Zoffee who was a cracking stayer on the Flat, but this strong traveller can trouble the best if the cards fall in his favour.

Race 6 No12 REGATTA DE BLANC (Each away)
Trainer: William Biddick – Jockey: Mr William Biddick

Easily the most interesting contender for this hunters’ chase is REGATTA DE BLANC. The Shirocco mare is unbeaten between the flags in three attempts, making her dark and hard to assess. Admittedly this is a very warm contest, but I’m prepared to pay to find out how good she is.

Race 7 No6 SELKIRK GRACE (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Bass

The giant SELKIRK GRACE has spent much of this season finding it hard to get out of her own way, but it could prove costly to underestimate her on this move into handicap company. Placed in two bumpers last season, I fancy her to raise her game for a trainer that is respected with this type of individual.

AYR

Race 1 No2 CREAM OF THE WEST (Nap)
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Bruce Lynn

Taking stock of how far CREAM OF THE WEST pulled clear at the business end of his first run in handicap company, the eight-year-old needs to be taken very seriously. He may be eight, but injury has interrupted his career, meaning that he probably has a fair bit more to come.

Race 4 No6 HORN CAPE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Haslam – Jockey: Richie McLernon

The enigmatic HORN CAPE can play the experience card to good effect against Milldam. A winner of two of his last three outings, the six-year-old likes this track and can trump his rival who in making the long haul from Lambourn needs to be respected nevertheless.

NEWCASTLE

Race 2 No1 GREENWICH
Trainer: Rebecca Menzies – Jockey: Billy Loughnane

Not only does GREENWICH have the assistance of top apprentice Loughnane, but the No Nay Never gelding is a horse open to quite an amount of progression on this first venture into handicap company. He’s improved race by race on the way to obtaining a mark, and could easily progress past more experienced opponents.

Race 3 No3 MATTELLA
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

MATTELLA posted a near miss when short-headed on her debut here and then ran into one at Southwell. The five-year-old is up against a dangerous foe in Berrygate, but should have the measure of that two years younger rival.

Race 8 No1 THE CALTONIAN (Nap)
Trainer: Linda Perrett – Jockey: Jonny Peate

Aside from the unexposed Quandary who is well worth a market check, the unexposed THE CALTONIAN dominates his rivals on the evidence of the form book and should oblige as the best bet on the card. As the winner of three of his last six outings he is more than worthy of his place at the head of the weights and can win again.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)

1, 12 x 3 x 7, 6 x 1, 5 x 6, 4, 2 x 6, 1, 2 x 1, 2

R144