Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Chepstow, Musselburgh, Warwick and Kempton Park on 8 November 2023.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No2 COLONEL HARRY (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
COLONEL HARRY was the inferior of Tahmuras over hurdles but it could be a different story now that the pair re-engage in a chase. If he adopts an enterprising role, the selection can dominate his two opponents. It usually pays to be up with the pace at this course where there are five fences in the home straight, and my Nap has excelled in his schooling at home.
Race 3 No6 JACKPOT D’ATHOU
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
With frame finishes in each of his two outings in bumpers, and now back from a wind operation, JACKPOT D’ATHOU looks the way to go. He received solid support for both, and having looked the part in practice at Ditcheat can start to recover those losses.
Race 4 No9 STRACKAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
STRACKAN skipped an engagement at Hereford on Monday and remains of interest at likely long odds on a track that will play more to his strengths. He’s pleased his trainer with his physical progression through the summer, and should get into the shake-up.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 5 No7 IMPRESSION CHIC
Trainer: Richard Hobson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
IMPRESSION CHIC posted a gritty first career success at Fontwell when equipped with a first-time tongue strap. The performance proved the grey will have more to offer as a chaser, and in an open race he can follow-up.
Race 6 No1 FIDELIO VALLIS (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Durham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
FIDELIO VALLIS will need to be good to successfully concede 17lb to Cedar Hill, but I think he can. He probably needed the race when chasing home Pay The Piper on his latest start back in February, and having had more time to settle into his surroundings near Newbury, can take the spoils and set himself up for a bountiful season ahead.
WARWICK
Race 1 No7 SUPASUNRISE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Finn Lambert
SUPASUNRISE looks very interesting in this conditional jockeys’ handicap chase. He made a pleasing return to action when third at Southwell, and with an experienced rider that knows him well taking the reins, can do better.
Race 3 No8 ROCKINASTORM (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Nothing went right for ROCKINASTORM last season, but now switched to fences he can show himself in a different light. His latest offering when third to Hardy Fella at Ludlow was one of his best, and he’s taken well to fences on the schooling ground at Downton. He’s getting plenty of weight from the dangers to him, and looks one of the best bets of the day.
Race 5 No2 PRETENDING
Trainer: Lucy Wadham – Jockey: Bryony Frost
The consistent PRETENDING finished second in a premier handicap at Cheltenham in April with Frost in the saddle. The pair find themselves in calmer waters for this first subsequent outing, and are a logical choice to do well on the journey from Newmarket.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No6 SANT ALESSIO
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: James Doyle
SANT ALESSIO came close to scoring on his introduction over today’s course and distance last month and is well drawn for this task in which the field negociate a right-handed bend into the straight. The son of Too Darn Hot will be hard to beat if making normal progress from that pleasing run, with Into Battle one that could also take away a cheque.
Race 5 No11 ALL AGLEAM
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Oasis Dream filly ALL AGLEAM has progressed in her four outings with her best effort happening on her nursery debut here last month. Chasing home the impressive City House, she will have derived benefit from that first run on sand, and has to be of interest getting weight from all bar one of her opponents.
Race 6 No5 FIVETHOUSANDTOONE (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
FIVETHOUSANDTOONE has not been the busiest this year, and on his fourth start has possibilities in this strongly contested Class 2. He returns from a nine-month absence after claiming a cheque on two of his three starts on sand in the winter. While unable so far to live up to his early career billing, he makes plenty of appeal, although respect is also afforded to Fresh and Prop Forward For exotics purposes.
Race 7 No4 SLEEPING LION (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Charlton – Jockey: David Probert
SLEEPING LION has been a slow burner for his connections this season but his second to the high-class Trawlerman at Salisbury was made to look better when his conqueror landed the Group 1 at Ascot on Champions Day. The Nap notched a course and distance win here last year and takes a drop in grade, making him very much the one to beat.
