Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Tuesday 2 January 2024

FAKENHAM

Race 2 No7 WISE GUY
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings

WISE GUY returned from a wind operation as the only winner in the field in a weak maiden hurdle. He was well backed for his Bangor bumper success last spring, and was going well within himself when slipping and losing all chance in a similar race to today’s here in early November. He should have the edge on point winner Just Gino.

Race 5 No3 MY GIFT TO YOU (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Lily Pinchin

Dual purpose operator MY GIFT TO YOU is a winner over hurdles and unbeaten in two races over fences and has earned in his other three starts since joining his trainer. The six-year-old clicked for Lily Pinchin to come home unchallenged over the course and distance in November, and is strongly fancied to serve up a repeat.

Race 6 No2 HAAFAPIECE
Trainer: Pam Sly – Jockey: Paul O’Brien

Veteran HAAFAPIECE is a winner here as well as being placed on each of his other four visits to the Norfolk course. His two runs at Wetherby this season have seen him greeted with contrasting fortune, but if a line is drawn through his latest outing he has the consistency in his CV to roll back the years for his popular connections.

AYR

Race 1 No2 ESPRIT DU POTIER
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Derek Fox

Although rolled over at long odds-on here before Christmas, ESPRIT DU POTIER is worth siding with in this match-up with Hombre De Guerra. A dual bumper winner here, he also ran well on his hurdles bow at Kelso and is well-regarded from a stable that houses some very able novices.

Race 2 No1 CLOVIS BOY
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Derek Fox

The same trainer/jockey combination can take out this handicap hurdle with CLOVIS BOY. The top weight was a ready scorer at Hexham, while as the least experienced runner in the big field probably has more room for further progression than his foes. Beat The Retreat also converted on his latest outing and looks his main threat, along with Follow Charlie.

Race 3 No2 MAROWN (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan

The best bet on this card is MAROWN, who put in an eye-taking first run back when second to Readysteadybeau over course and distance last month. Although the Nap hasn’t won since undergoing a wind op he’s been in the money in seven of his nine subsequent outings over fences. He won here as a novice, and should have more to give with the benefit of an outing under his belt.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 3 No3 GYPSY WHISPER
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: Kieran O’Neill

GYPSY WHISPER has knocked on the door a couple of times and ticks more boxes than most in this second division of the classified stakes. His latest effort saw him go close over course and distance, and from a good draw he’s deserving of a change of luck.

Race 4 No1 LE GEYT
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert

Acclamation colt LE GEYT was very easy to back before troubling the judge on his second start at Kempton, and first on the all-weather. That four lengths third to Bravo Zulu is there to be improved on, and he can get the better of the dangerous Inner Temple in the colours of Opulence Thoroughbreds.

Race 8 No4 HILL STATION (Nap)
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland – Jockey: Gina Mangan

HILL STATION seeks a fourth triumph from his last five starts and his trainer appears to have found a perfect opportunity for him to achieve it. The Nap smoothly converted with Mangan in the saddle for the first time at Southwell, and though yet to score at this track there’s no reason why he can’t buck that trend.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)

3, 4 x 3, 4 x 1 x 1, 4 x 1, 5 x 7, 1, 8 x 4

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