Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Ascot, Chepstow, Catterick Bridge and Southwell on 24 November 2023.
ASCOT
Race 1 No8 PEP TALKING (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
There’s plenty in this opener that boast good form in bumpers and points of whom PEP TALKING is one. His only success between the flags happened in the spring and he’s been well prepared for a first run under Rules. Beat The Bat, Welcome To Carries and Bataillon are other names to conjure with in interest heat.
Race 2 No2 THE CARPENTER (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
THE CARPENTER can spark a good two days here for Henderson and de Boinville at the start of what should prove a bountiful novice chase campaign. The grey improved from race to race in three hurdling runs last season, culminating in success in a handicap at Uttoxeter. The seven-year-old has shone in his preparation for fences.
Race 3 No2 DODDIETHEGREAT
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Inthewaterside has carried a tall reputation to the track but on this occasion he might find DODDIETHEGREAT too hot to handle. The selection has impressed in all three starts under Rules, especially when last seen at Kempton. That was more than two years ago, but all the evidence from what he’s been doing at home is that he’s not lost any of his ability, and success today can prove a pathfinder to even better things ahead.
Race 6 No2 TEA CLIPPER (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
TEA CLIPPER has gone almost two years since his last success but is too good a horse for that trend to continue any longer. He was well supported and shaped with abundant promise when chasing home Stolen Silver at Chepstow and can boast a very good effort on his only previous visit to this course when third to Our Power and that was on his previous start.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No2 MR GREY SKY
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
MR GREY SKY was raised 5lb for his comeback triumph at Huntingdon but it might not stop him adding to his laurels in this two-mile handicap chase. The grey was well on top in the short home straight on what was only a second run over fences, suggesting there should be more to come, while his stable is enjoying a solid run up to Christmas.
Race 3 No1 LOWRY’S BAR (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Ben Jones
Even though he’s carrying a 7lb penalty it will take a brave man to oppose Wincanton scorer LOWRY’S BAR, who landed some good bets on that occasion. The Nap edged out Panjari, and that rival went on to Frank the form with a win last week.
Race 4 No7 JUST OVER LAND (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
A step up in trip is probably what JUST OVER LAND requires to gain a first career success in this handicap hurdle over two and a half miles. The close relative of Good Risk At All came home in his own time on his reappearance at this course, but the exercise has served to put the edge on him from a fitness perspective.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 5 No1 DOC McCOY (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
It will be a surprise if DOC McCOY doesn’t successfully carry a penalty for his impressive Huntingdon success for a trainer with a good record with his runners at this track. The chestnut is competing in a big field against mainly inexperienced foes, while his form is stronger than market rivals Bugise Seagull and Got Your Back.
Race 6 No2 SHANTY ALLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Harry Bannister
ALMAZHAR Garde will almost certainly try to burn his rivals off from the front and could go clear, but that will assist SHANTY ALLEY who also likes to dominate but will hopefully get a nice lead. The selection was on good order when last seen in May, and with his tendency to run well fresh can make this a winning first visit to the North Yorkshire venue.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No5 LEVERET (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Oisin Orr
LEVERET is switched here from an alternative race and from a very good draw holds strong claims to open her account. The Invincible Army filly brings solid form to the table and can prove too hot for newcomers Elmalka and Sea Regal to handle.
Race 5 No9 POWER OF DARKNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Mikkel Mortensen
POWER OF DARKNESS stayed on strongly at the end of his latest race at Wolverhampton to confirm he’s in a happy place. Following a success at Salisbury in September he’s posted three consecutive near misses on the all-weather and should relish the racing surface on a belated first visit to this track.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 3-9)
5 x 2, 1 x 9, 1 x 1, 8, 6 x 7, 1, 2 x 2, 7, 8 x 5, 4
R216
Jackpot Perm (Races 6-9)
1, 8, 6, 9 x 7, 1, 2, 4 x 2, 7, 8, 3, 9 x 5, 4, 10
R240
