Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from UK Racing at Kempton Park, Wolverhampton, Nottingham and Fakenham.
Kempton Park Best Bets
Race 4: I CAN (1)
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd
Jockey: Nicola Currie
Considering he got lit up I CAN ran a cracker over seven furlongs here two weeks ago. His pilot managed to hold him up and then encountered traffic problems in the home straight, before finishing two and a quarter lengths adrift of the winner Little Palaver. This time he has a wide draw to cope with, but this well handicapped horse can overcome that and get into the shake up.
Race 8: NED PEPPER (5)
Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Tom Queally
From a stable that’s doing well with its Flat contingent, NED PEPPER is an unexposed type that could easily find the improvement needed to win this. He made very good late headway when the birds had flown over this distance at Wolverhampton earlier in the month and will be more streetwise this time.
Wolverhampton Best Bets
Race 6: MAMDOOD (9)
Trainer: Stef Keniry
Jockey: Megan Nicholls
A dead heater when showing improved form at Newcastle, MAMDOOD has the wherewithal to carry on the good work on this return to that Tapeta surface. The 8yo showed a good attitude to refuse to let his rival Majestic Stone get by. He has taken the exertions in his stride and is fancied to follow-up.
Nottingham Best Bets
Race 5: GOSCOTE (8)
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: Paul Hanagan
As a course and distance winner earlier in the year, GOSCOTE requires abundant respect. Admittedly he was tailed off when last seen in September but that can be regarded as a rare blip for this normally consistent performer whose family love to get their toe in. That was also a better race and he can bounce back.
Race 8: STAR ASCENDING (5)
Trainer: Jennie Candlish
Jockey: Mr Ryan Holmes
Dual purpose horse STAR ASCENDING ran a cracker in soft ground at Musselburgh two weeks ago and deserves the chance to build on that. He lost ground at the start but made it up steadily in the home straight to get into the shake up, being beaten two and a half lengths by Luna Magic. He can’t afford another blip at the start, but if breaking on terms can earn.
Fakenham Best Bets
Race 1: HIGH CHANGE (3)
Trainer: Charlie Hills
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Plenty of attention will fall on Falco Blitz but the likely race favourite has fallen short too many times for comfort and HIGH CHANGE is preferred. A rare runner over jumps for Charlie Hills, he impressed in his only start in a Ffos Las bumper and is capable of shaking up,the favourite. He’s been working well.
Race 4: NUBE NEGRA (1)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Few novices have impressed as much as NUBE NEGRA when he humbled Ballymoy at Warwick. On that evidence he could go a long way and it’s hard to imagine there’s anything in this field that can hold a candle to him.
Written by Neil Morrice for Hollywoodbets
