Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday 27 December’s racing at Chepstow and Kempton Park as well as an in-depth preview of the Coral Welsh National Handicap Chase.
Coral Welsh National Handicap Chase analysis (Grade 1)
This has the makings of a war of attrition with the field headed by last year’s winner ELEGANT ESCAPE who looks a worthy favourite and appears to have everything in his favour.
Nevertheless, others have attracted support in the ante-post market with NOW MCGINTY and TRUCKERS LODGE set to go off at prices much lower than their original standings in the ante post-market.
Elegant Escape hails from the all-conquering Colin Tizzard academy and is very much the unsung hero from that renowned stable. He has 4lb more to carry than for his 2018 success and warmed up for today with a staying on third behind De Rasher Counter in the old Hennessy at Newbury where he was given plenty to do.
He actually flew at the finish and it’s doubtful whether his pilot will allow the gelding to be as far out of his ground even given the fact that Chepstow with five fences in the home straight offers up the longest home straight in the country.
Stablemate WEST APPROACH will love the conditions and the way the race will be run. Under an exaggerated ride he put in all his best work at the finish when third to course specialist COGRY at Cheltenham before Christmas and is an out and out stayer.
NOW MCGINTY must be afforded the utmost respect after his commendable run behind Santini in a graduation Chase at Sandown. The Stuart Edmunds-trained 8yo belied his 12-1 odds to stay on gamely up the final hill to go down by just a hard to his classy rival.
Important to the chances of TRUCKERS LIDGE is that he has winning form at this course, beating Johanos by half a length in October. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was having a third outing of the season and is now clearly right in the zone.
YALA ENKI will be all the better for his comeback run last month, loves the conditions and with his stable in such good order could easily take a hand.
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish
1st ELEGANT ESCAPE
2nd Truckers Lodge
3rd Now Mcginty
4th Yala Enki
5th West Approach
Kempton Park Best Bets
Race 3: OSCAR ROSE (4) (Each Way)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Connor Brace
OSCAR ROSE operates well on a park course and can play a major part in the outcome for her bang in form stable. She is almost certain to get the breakneck pace that best suits her stalking racing style, and after a win and a solid frame finish on her only two starts this season there should be more to come.
Race 6: EDDIEMAURICE (11) (Each Way)
Trainer: John Flint – Jockey: Mick Schofield
Carrying just a pound more than when winning this 12 months ago, EDDIEMAURICE should give his backers a good run for their money. He’s been trained specifically with a repeat success in mind and put in a pleasing warm-up run when finishing in mid-pack at Huntingdon last month. That has served to put the edge on this hold-up performer who can swoop to conquer at the business end.
Chepstow Undercard
Race 3: CERBERUS (3)
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Robbie Power
CERBERUS can put down a significant marker for the Triumph Hurdle in this recognised trial for the juvenile championship. His no-nonsense attitude has impressed with a couple of forcing wins and he really looked the part when scoring at Fairyhouse in the kind of stamina-sapping conditions he’ll encounter here. After being challenged two flights out he buckled down to find extra and similar tactics should benefit him on this course that suits front runners.
