Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips from Saturday’s racing at Catterick, Leicester, Newbury and Lingfield.
Catterick Best Bets
Race 2: QUART DE GARDE (5)
Trainer: Donald McCain – Jockey: Henry Brooke
The hooded QUART DE GARDE has delighted his trainer since arriving from France where he was last seen troubling the judge at Auteuil in September. This doesn’t look the hottest of maiden hurdles and the 4yo should revel in the testing conditions.
Race 4: DESIGNER DESTINY (1)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Danny Cook
Whittington is always respected with his runners in the North and Cook looks a significant booking for the consistent DESIGNER DESTINY. She should be suited by the sharp nature of this track as she has plenty of speed. She handled the heavy when second at Uttoxeter, and can go one better.
Race 6: DERRICK D’ANJOU (10)
Trainer: Graham McPherson – Jockey: Kielan Woods
The lightly-raced DERRICK D’ANJOU ultimately ran out a decisive winner of a similar contest at Exeter last month, getting outpaced mid-race before really finding his stride in the straight. He won going away like a horse that should relish this extra yardage.
Leicester Best Bets
Race 1: CAPTAIN BLACKPEARL (2)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey:
Of those with public form CAPTAIN BLACKPEARL looks the safest option as he might have just needed the race when beaten by Orrisdale on his first run over jumps at Uttoxeter. He looked all over the winner and might have blown up, which fully entitles him to improve sufficiently to get off the mark.
Race 4: EUREU DU BOULAY (1)
Trainer: Richard Hobson – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
EUREU DU BOULAY is a fascinating addition to a stable that does so well with its imports from France and can defy top weight in the day’s feature. When last seen at Fontainebleau last month he bolted up in a quagmire and has been hard for the handicapper to assess as that was a big step up on anything he had previously achieved.
Race 5: MASTERS APPRENTICE (5)
Trainer: Mark Walford – Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
With no miles on the clock, there’s a lot to like about MASTERS APPRENTICE who can make this a third career win from only four starts. He landed some good bets in the soft on his handicap debut at Sedgefield, form given a boost of sorts when the second home Jackson Hill finished second in a better race on Boxing Day.
Newbury Best Bets
Race 2: MISTER COFFEY (7)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
On what will hopefully be a good day for the Henderson stable at its local track, new recruit MISTER COFFEY makes abundant interest in this introductory hurdle. The point-to-point winner recently joined Seven Barrows from a neighbouring yard and although quite keen in his work has displayed plenty of ability. He’s expected to give a good account.
Race 4: ONE FOR ROSIE (2) (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
This is a tough ask for ONE FOR ROSIE on her belated reappearance but that said she has bundles of ability and can find her class proving a trump card. She’s run well in every race she’s contested, and after landing a valuable pot at Sandown closed out her 2018/19 campaign with a solid run in a novice hurdle at Aintree won by the smart Reserve Tank.
Race 5: BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH (9) (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
Consistency is the hallmark of BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH who after a string of good efforts in defeat can show his appreciation for a return to a left-handed track. His trainer is doing well with a small string and a victory in the historic Mandarin Chase would be no more than deserved. The selection is a sound jumper that likes to be in contention, attributes that ought to lend themselves to Newbury.
Race 7: MORNING VICAR (9)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Having made a pleasing return to action when second in a handicap hurdle at Kempton last month, MORNING VICAR has subsequently excelled in his schooling to prepare himself for this switch to fences. Furthermore, he looks to have been given a real chance by the handicapper. He was only seen three times last season and hasn’t been the easiest to train, but is now ready to start making up for lost time.
Lingfield Best Bets
Race 2: DARK PHOENIX (2) (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Thore Hammer Hansen
If you forgive DARK PHOENIX his heavy defeat at Chelmsford when he was badly hampered leaving the stalls, his other two outings contained definite ability and he could raise his game granted he’s now in a handicap and set to break from a perfect draw. His trainer is doing well with his small team for the winter.
