Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Friday 15 December 2023

CHELTENHAM

Race 1 No9 SPIRITS BAY Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor

Locally trained SPIRITS BAY brings strong form to the table and can earn in an admittedly very competitive opener. The dual bumper scorer found only Southoftheborder his superior on hurdles debut at Sandown and has been in great form at home in preparation for his clash with Dysart Enos and Meatloaf who can also trouble the judge.

Race 2 No1 GREY DAWNING (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton

Perhaps the nicest horse on view at this fixture is GREY DAWNING. Although beaten by Stay Away Fay on his introduction to fences at Exeter, the Nap set the record straight when coming home unchallenged at Haydock where his jumping was a joy to behold. Very well regarded by the Skeltons, the six-year-old can take the spoils and assert himself as a proper Festival horse, at the main expense of Crebilly.

Race 3 No2 DODDIETHEGREAT
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville

Henderson has nominated the Scottish Champion Hurdle as a long-range target for DODDIETHEGREAT who in the meantime can make this a successful first run in handicap company. The seven-year-old returned from an enforced absence to take the notable scalp of Inthewaterside in a warm race at Ascot out of which he’s been kicking his stable door down. The assessor has had his say, but I still fancy him to extend his unbeaten sequence, although a saver on MR MACKAY at the other end of the weights might also prove rewarding.

Race 5 No6 STORM CONTROL
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick

STORM CONTROL didn’t have much luck in a select campaign last season. His best effort was his last, when fourth to Senior Citizen at Doncaster. That was almost a year ago but with his stable amongst the winners he can start making up for lost time. He’s very well handicapped and will enjoy the fences and the underfoot conditions. Cheek pieces replace the visor he wore on Town Moor.

Race 7 No7 BIG BRESIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Jack Quinlan

If there’s a plot in this open-looking handicap hurdle it could arrive by way of BIG BRESIL. The eight-year-old had good form in novice and handicap hurdles for his former trainer but hasn’t been without his issues. He was confined to just two starts last season but if ready for a first run in eight months he will be a danger to all.

DONCASTER

Race 3 No7 URBAN SOLDIER (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien

This could concern the least experienced runners, with URBAN SOLDIER at the base of the weights marginally preferred to Inedit De Mee at the top. The selection has interestingly undergone wind surgery since his latest outing in novice company. If a breathing issue was affecting him, now is the time to find out whether it’s been fixed.

Race 6 No4 EGBERT (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy

From a yard with a good record with its chasers here, EGBERT sets the standard for the others to aim at. He ran out an impressive scorer on debut over fences at Kempton and from his revised mark can follow-up.

SOUTHWELL

Race 3 No11 MATELLA (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

MATELLA has a pedigree stacked with speed, and having gone within a whisker of success on her debut at Newcastle can confirm her liking for the Tapeta surface with success over Newmarket raiders Embroidered Cloth and Make Clear.

Race 4 No6 SARSONS RISK (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Dougie Costello

SARSONS RISK has been mixing it between all-weather racing and hurdling but remains lightly-raced and unexposed on the level. His recent run at Newcastle should have sharpened him up nicely for this, and he’s definitely one to monitor in the betting.

Race 6 No1 TEA SEA
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: William Carson

TEA SEA was a deserving and wide-margin winner over the course and distance last week. Out again under a 6lb penalty, he can underline his liking for the venue, with the rail post likely to assist him in his bid to follow-up.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)

8, 1, 6 x 11 x 6, 9, 7 x 5, 8, 1 x 1, 6 x 2, 8 x 10, 1

R216