Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing taking place at Cheltenham, Doncaster, Bangor-On-Dee and Chelmsford.
Cheltenham Best Bets
Race 1: CHANTRY HOUSE (4)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Barry Geraghty
Although this is a potential baptism of fire on his first jumps assignment, CHANTRY HOUSE is rated amongst the cream of the crop at Seven Barrow’s and can deliver. His bumper form entitles him to the greatest respect, given that when last seen at Warwick in March he readily took the scalp of Edwardstone who this season has proved himself one of the best novices on the block. He’s both worked and schooled well and is a horse to follow.
Race 5: SINGLEFARMPAYMENT (5) (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom George
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Although beaten a long way on his return to action at Haydock, SINGLEFARMPAYMENT travelled and jumped fluently until getting tired and is worth another chance. His critics will point to a number of below par efforts but he likes this course and can show his effectiveness without the hood he sported throughout the 2018/19 campaign.
Race 7: ASK BEN (3) (Nap)
Trainer: Graham McPherson
Jockey: Kielen Woods
The white-faced ASK BEN came back to trouble the judge in one of the hottest races of this kind at Haydock, finishing fourth of 17 to Stoney Mountain. He was always in the right place to mount a challenge and did little wrong, travelling with enthusiasm and jumping accurately. Given that the run should have put an edge on him he’s well worth backing and is definitely a horse to keep on the right side through the winter.
Doncaster Best Bets
Race 3: KNIGHT IN DUBAI (1)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Conor Shoemark
It was hard not to be impressed with the way KNIGHT IN DUBAI got the job done on his chase debut at Bangor when trouncing the reliable yardstick Ballymoy. He could be named the winner some way out and was inch-perfect 8n the jumping department. Having had issues along the way, the 6yo has few miles on the clock and is open to plenty of improvement.
Race 4: MR SCRUMPY (7)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe
Jockey: Joe Colliver
Model of consistency MR SCRUMPY has everything going for him and can follow up a decisive comeback success at Wetherby. He landed the spoils in the manner of a strong stayer who digs deep and looks better the further he travels. He revelled in the easy conditions, and if the going worsens it shouldn’t bother him.
Race 3: KNOCKOURA (4)
Trainer: Maurice Barnes
Jockey: Ross Chapman
As the only front runner in this small field KNOCKOURA should be able to dominate without being taken on. He kept finding from on the pace when storming home at Ayr last time and the way he finished off his race indicates he will delight in this move up to three miles. His trainer doesn’t run many here, which is a tip in itself.
Race 5: GLOCKENSPIEL (6)
Trainer: Tom George
Jockey: James Bowen
Having left France’s master trainer Andre Fabre GLOCKENSPIEL made an eye-catching jumps debut for his new connections when beaten in a photo at Uttoxeter. For most of the race, he looked the likely winner, and with the benefit of the run under his belt, he should be more streetwise.
Chelmsford Best Bets
Race 2: IN THE NIGHT (3)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: Adam Kirby
An expensive failure when odds-on for his Wolverhampton introduction, IN THE NIGHT spoiled his chance by running green. He’s been gelded since that outing in October and can now show his true colours at the main expense of 550,000 Guineas newcomer Hypothetical.
