Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday 6 January 2024

SANDOWN PARK

Race 2 No2 AUTHORISED SPEED (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: David Noonan

AUTHORISED SPEED was showing no signs of stopping when brushing through the second last fence and paying the penalty on his debut over fences at Ascot. The former three-time novice hurdle winner had until that point jumped immaculately and would surely have prevailed. He’s a useful recruit to fences, and can make amends on this first run in a handicap.

Race 4 No8 HUDSON DE GRUGY
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Niall Houlihan

From the same stable, HUDSON DE GRUGY can deliver in this two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase. Each of the gelding’s last three outings have been around this course, and when returning from a lengthy absence following wind surgery he shaped well to take away a minor cheque in the race won by Mount Tempest before Christmas. If progressing from that he holds strong claims to take the spoils, as he’s at the right end of the weights.

Race 5 No1 YOU WEAR IT WELL
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

YOU WEAR IT WELL has been highly tried and will be happier in calmer waters now contesting a Listed race. The seven-year-old was the comfortable winner of an identical contest on comeback at Wetherby when beating Luccia. But then she couldn’t cope with Not So Sleepy in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth when it was rescheduled at this course. She might not have been at her best that day, and is strongly fancied to bounce back especially As Luccia gave her a boost by taking out a hot handicap hurdle at Ascot.

Race 6 No7 MILL GREEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: James Bowen

MILL GREEN makes up for in courage what he lacks in size, and it’s to his credit that he’s troubled the judge in seven of his last eight starts including when returning to fences and finishing second to Thomas Darby at Warwick. He has a new jockey on his back whose quiet style should suit the 12-year-old, and they should be hard to keep out of the money.

WINCANTON

Race 1 No2 LORD OF THUNDER (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell

LORD OF THUNDER was well backed and came home unchallenged in a novice hurdle over course and distance before Christmas. The Getaway gelding has his tail up after that slick display, and can stave off the dangerous threat of Hero’s De Romay.

Race 6 No3 ASTRONOMIC VIEW
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Lucy Gardner

This combination enjoyed a good winner at Exeter last week and in ASTRONOMIC VIEW have a horse that’s well overdue a delivery. The seven-year-old finished second at Exeter and Bangor and can notch a first triumph in just over a year, and first over hurdles.

NEWCASTLE

Race 1 No1 YOUGOGLENCOKO
Trainer: Doland McCain Jnr – Jockey: Abbie McCain

YOUGOGLENCOKO put in a polished display to score on her debut under Rules in a Kelso bumper in the autumn. Annie McCain was in the irons and can assist her mount in serving up a repeat under a 7lb penalty.

Race 2 No2 GARDENER (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Fergus Gregory

GARDENER came home by a distance after travelling strongly in the betting before his chase debut at Southwell. This lightly-raced individual could have much more to offer, and can preserve an unbeaten record for his handler.

KEMPTON PARK

Race 2 No4 FIRE DEMON (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert

While having to overcome a poor draw, FIRE DEMON brings the best form to the table in this six furlongs maiden. The Dark Angel colt went down in a blanket finish when odds-on for his latest start at this course but can put the record straight now pulled back to a sprint distance.

Race 3 No4 LESSAY
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert

From the same stable LESSAY is the one who can dominate this novice race. The Churchill colt defied a market drift to score on his introduction here in mid December, and his trainer looks to have found him a perfect opportunity to showcase the value of that triumph.

Race 6 No5 SARSONS RISK
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Dougie Costello

SARSONS RISK has bagged the rail for this and can endorse the good recent form he’s displayed on the all-weather. Under Costello he looked to score with something in reserve at Southwell, and though his only two visits to this course proved fruitless that can all change.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)

2, 1 x 4 x 4 x 3, 5, 4 x 9, 7, 8 x 5, 8, 10 x 4, 8, 3

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