Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Tuesday 16 January 2024

CHEPSTOW

Race 1 No8 STEEL ALLY (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

STEEL ALLY is on a recovery mission following his lacklustre effort when pulled up at Ffos Las. He’d previously been unlucky not to score at that course when an awkward jump at the last cost him vital momentum. While connections remain perplexed over the recent flop, the six-year-old is in good order and can bounce back.

Race 2 No1 SPEECH BUBBLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Jonathan Burke

SPEECH BUBBLE appeals as the joker in the pack on her belated debut over fences and return from 21 months off the track. She was a smart novice hurdler and not disgraced on her only handicap outing at the 2022 Grand National meeting. It’s been a long road back for the nine-year-old, but she’s in good form.

Race 4 No2 LORD OF CHESHIRE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

The free-going LORD OF CHESHIRE should find this course much to his liking. Since returning from a long absence he’s won at Warwick and finished second at Haydock. Even though Chepstow possesses one of the longest straights in the UK, horses that go from the front are often hard to peg back and hopefully that scenario will pan out for my selection.

Race 7 No3 CHAMPAGNE RHYTHM (Each Way)
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Isobel Williams

CHAMPAGNE RHYTHM is carded to start at a big double-figure price but is one whose chance is better than the odds imply. A former very useful novice hurdler, he’s been in racing’s wilderness but with his liking for this course and the addition of cheek pieces he could raise his game.

PLUMPTON

Race 2 No1 CANTY BAY
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy

CANTY BAY created a favourable impression when returning to score at Taunton only to fall next time at Wincanton before Christmas. He’s none the worse for the tumble, and can shrug off his penalty in a weak affair.

Race 4 No7 JUNIPER (Each Way)
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball – Jockey: Rex Dingle

JUNIPER has been pulled up on three of her last four starts and comes with risks attached, but when on song she can be a tough opponent for the best of them. This is only a second outing in nine months for the ten-year-old, and her new trainer has had the time required to get to know her since her latest start and debut for him at Wincanton last autumn.

Race 5 No3 TREGELE (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass

TREGELE is one that jumps off the page on his first run in full handicap company. He kept on to take away a minor cheque at Taunton, and as this is just a fifth run under Rules for the six-year-old, he could have plenty more to come.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 3 No1 PAGLIACCI
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Jack Gilligan

PAGLIACCI proved very easy to back in both 2023 starts but almost pulled off a shock when second to Qazaq at Chelmsford before Christmas. The chestnut will be more streetwise, and at this more suitable (longer) trip can open his account.

Race 6 No5 OPTIK
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Hayley Turner

OPTIK has been partnered by Turner on his last four starts, and the combination swooped to conquer over a longer trip here earlier in the month. They now ease back on the distance ladder under a 5lb penalty, but granted a true run race can go back-to-back.

NEWCASTLE

Race 3 No7 HALE END
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Clifford Lee

HALE END represents a trainer who is amongst the winners with his all-weather team. The four-year-old enjoyed his first visit to this course last time, when well in control at the business end. Under similar circumstances he holds strong claims to follow up.

Race 4 No6 BETTER (Nap)
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Billy Loughnane

BETTER was impressive on handicap debut over course and distance last month, leaving his previous form a fair way behind. The Due Diligence gelding should enjoy stretching out to a longer trip, and jumps off the page as one that could have plenty more to come.

Race 7 No4 THE CALTONIAN
Trainer: Linda Perratt – Jockey: Jonny Peate

THE CALTONIAN is marvellously consistent at this level, boasting figures of 1123211 from his last seven outings. He started favourite on each of those occasions and has looked a different horse since switching to the all-weather. Three of his four victories have happened at this course, and once again he should prove very hard to beat.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)

6, 1, 9 x 7, 4, 9, 11 x 6 x 7, 10 x 4, 2, 1 x 4 x 9, 6

R144