Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from UK Racing at Fontwell, Cheltenham and Punchestown on Sunday 17 November 2019.
Fontwell Best Bets
Race 2 – No 1 REALLYRADICAL
Trainer: Chris Gordon
Jockey: Tom Cannon
Under top weight REALLYRADICAL can recoup the losses sustained when he finished second to Waikiki Waves over this course and distance last month. A well supported favourite that day, he did nothing wrong and with identical conditions to encounter a deserved first win of the season looks on the cards.
Race 7 No 4 KENNY GEORGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West
Jockey: Leighton Aspell
KENNY GEORGE has always looked the type to do well as a jumper and with a needed first run of the season behind him can open his account. He briefly looked the winner of that handicap hurdle at Plumpton only to weaken between the final two flights, making his trainer’s decision to cut back on the distance ladder a logical one.
Cheltenham Best Bets
Race 2 – No 1 URGENT DE GREGAINE
Trainer: Emmanuel Clayeux
Jockey: Felix De Giles
French raider URGENT DE GREGAINE stands out in this rescheduled Cross Country Handicap Chase. The 11-year-old is a rare visitor to racecourses but has winning form here which counts for a great deal on this track. Furthermore his bold bid against Tiger Roll in the Glenfarclas race here at the Festival in March is outstandingly the best form on offer.
Race 4 No 3 SAINT CALVADOS
Trainer: Harry Whittington
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
The late decision to reroute SAINT CALVADOS to this featured Schloer Chase can pay off, although the new hold up tactics employed on him on his comeback here last month might be hard to carry out in a four runner contest that is bound to become tactical. The 6yo showed the benefits of a close season wind operation when clearly enjoying the heavy ground and beating Vaniteaux a length. He now needs to consolidate against top notchers Defi Du Sevilla and Politologue but he’s so much in the zone with his yard amongst the winners that I think he can.
Race 7 – No 7 STONER’S CHOICE
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
Jockey: Max Kendrick
This is a difficult puzzle to untangle but STONER’S CHOICE can give it a good shot at a decent price. He overcame greenness when opening his account at Warwick in the spring and looked very useful when the penny dropped inside the final furlong. He should be much more the finished article with a summer behind him and can continue the fine form of his stable.
Punchestown Best Bets
Race 2 – No 6 HARVEST BOW
Trainer: Noel Meade
Jockey: E Walsh
The hugely impressive Ballinrobe scorer HARVEST BOW looks to hold the cards in this juvenile hurdle. He has subsequently performed with less credit on the Flat, finishing in mid division behind Paisley at Gowran, but back in his comfort zone he should prove hard to beat.
Race 4 No 3 EJAYTEEKAY
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: J Moore
EJAYTEEKAY is a horse who needs the rub of the green when trying to cut through horses at the business end of his races but in this relatively small field the 6yo should be effective if on a going day. Though out of sorts when last seen at Listowel in the autumn, he’s benefitted from a short break.
