Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Sedgefield, Exeter, Sandown Park and Newcastle on 8 December 2023.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 3 No9 COUP DE GOLD (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
COUP DE GOLD is closely matched with hat-trick seeking El Jeffe but carded to start at well over double his rival’s price. The seven-year-old stuck on well over this course and distance last time, and can gain an overdue success.
Race 4 No3 SKYHILL
Trainer: Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
SKYHILL hit a flat spot before staying on for a minor cheque on his reappearance here behind Largy Nights. A winner of four of his last ten starts over fences including twice here, that effort should have blown away any cobwebs and he can turn the tables on that foe, while also resisting Ballylinch.
Race 6 No3 BEBSIDE BANGER (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
BEBSIDE BANTER came out of the wilderness to score readily over course and distance last time. The triumph did not come as a surprise to his trainer, however, and the gelding is napped to follow-up and prove it was no fluke.
EXETER
Race 1 No2 GIVEGA
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Niall Houlihan
GIVEGA faces an odds-on opponent in Sir Psycho but shouldn’t be underestimated in a fascinating opener. The selection jumped well in the main in what proved a baptism of fire on his first run over fences at Ascot. Winner of every completed start (three) over hurdles, he’s a bright prospect and if his jumping holds up can post a minor upset.
Race 3 No12 SPIRITS BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
SPIRITS BAY re-routes here following the abandonment of Haydock on Wednesday and faces a far more straightforward assignment. The dual bumper scorer ran a stormer to chase home the very well-regarded Southoftheborder on jumps debut at Sandown, and with improvement on the cards should prove extremely hard to beat.
Race 5 No5 THE EDGAR WALLACE
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
THE EDGAR WALLACE lost his way last season but put himself firmly back in the fray with a fine display of jumping to score at Wetherby. That performance showed the beneficial effects of a wind operation, and as those fences take plenty of jumping he should again be in his element on this big galloping track.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 3 BETFAIR BEACONS WINTER NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 2)
No3 JOSH THE BOSS (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Mr Jamie Nield
JOSH THE BOSS is carded to start the outsider of five in a fascinating contest, but in the light of a couple of dominating displays needs to be taken seriously. Course winner Southoftheborder carries a big reputation wherever he goes while Insurrection was impressive at Exeter, but Josh The Boss downed a well-regarded foe in Magical King at Aintree and has built up a fine understanding with his amateur pilot.
Race 4 BETFAIR ESHER NOVICES’ CHASE (Grade 2)
No4 THE CHANGING MAN
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendon Powell
Stay Away Fay pulled the race out of the fire after looking beaten on his debut over fences at Exeter. The Festival winner will be at short odds to follow up, but I fancy THE CHANGING MAN to turn the tables. The selection has a 3lb swing in the weights, will relish jumping the tricky Railway fences and should give his adversary plenty to think about as they both step up the class ladder.
Race 6 No1 MAGICAL KING (Nap)
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
Josh The Boss’s run in the earlier feature could give a boost to MAGICAL KING who now steps into handicap company for the first time. The four-year-old is a strong traveller who will handle the testing conditions and act on the track, and while the assessor has taken no chances with him, he has a far better chance than his price implies of making this a first succcess under Rules.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No6 TRAIS FLUORS (Nap)
Trainer: Linda Perratt – Jockey: Tommie Jakes
Since being purchased at the Horses In Training Sales, TRAIS FLUORS has flourished in the Scottish air. A narrow defeat followed by a course and distance triumph are set to be consolidated on, with the make and shape of the race likely to suit the veteran.
Race 3 No1 PARISH COUNCILLOR
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
With little mileage on his racing clock PARISH COUNCILLOR looks the answer to this restricted novice contest. As the only winner in the field he carries a penalty, but there was plenty of promise in his course success back in February, while the horse he beat Flash Bardot has given the form a couple of hefty boosts.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
6, 10 x 1, 3 x 5, 3, 10 x 11, 1, 2 x 8, 3 x 5 x 4, 8, 9
R216
