Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Wincanton, Musselburgh, Kempton Park and Lingfield Park.
WINCANTON
Race 4 No1 EARLOFTHECOTSWOLDS (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
EARLOFTHECOTSWORLDS arrives in this handicap chase with his tail up and rates the best bet on the card. He has very solid claims, having finished second in a much better race at Ascot, and latterly landed a jumper-bumper at Kempton. If bringing his A-game to the table he should follow-up.
Race 7 No1 CAID DU BERLAIS
Trainer: S Loxton – Jockey: Bryony Frost
Veteran CAID DU BERLAIS usually wins when completing the course, as his form figures of 11P/11P illustrate. He has a good record fresh and can boast two Punchestown hunter-chase triumphs in his portfolio. Although he’s fallen short on the biggest stage, he was only just out of the money in the 2018 Foxhunters at Cheltenham and is much calmer waters for his return to the fray.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 7 No2 SIDI ISMAEL
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Craig Nichol
SIDI ISMAEL put in an underwhelming performance at Sedgefield last week which makes him a slightly risky entity reappearing so soon. However, in the beIief that he could have had an off day he gets another chance and can repair the damage in what looks an even weaker heat.
Race 8 No2 CAPTAIN BUCK’S (Nap)
Trainer: S Loxton – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Long distance traveller CAPTAIN BUCK’S can help formulate an across-the-card double in hunter-chases for his stable. He had some good form for Paul Nicholls last summer, which in the grand scheme of things puts him well ahead of his foes in terms of form. He’s also shown that he’s upped his game after wind surgery, and is the best bet on an otherwise disappointing card.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 No3 LAOS (Nap)
Trainer: Archie Watson – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
With regally-bred newcomer Knight’s Town badly drawn this can go to LAOS. The colt by Territories troubled the judge on debut behind Echo Point here last month when attracting a deal of support. That encouraging effort should have provided the fine tuning to make him ready to strike from a very good slot in the gate.
Race 8 No6 ELTHAM PALACE
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
ELTHAM PLACE is unexposed and could be a horse worth waiting for in the nightcap. She’s not been the most straightforward filly to train, but has shown hints of ability in three spaced out runs that have earned her this handicap mark.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 6 No10 SPIRITUOSO (Each Way)
Trainer: George Margarson – Jockey: Tom Queally
Charm Spirit filly SPIRITUOSO has started at 66-1 and 80-1 in her two outings and improved to trouble the judge behind Double Dealing here last time. She is well drawn in this weak race, and with just a little more progression can be involved at a decent price.
Race 8 No4 DECEPTION VALLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
DECEPTION VALLEY was compromised by a slow start on handicap debut at Wolverhampton last week but stayed on without troubling the principals. It was much the best he’s shown on the track so far, and if breaking a tad more smartly from a good draw should be hard to beat.
