Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Monday 1 January 2024

CHELTENHAM

Race 2 No1 MATATA
Trainer: Nigel Twiston- Davies – Jockey: Daryl Jacob

MATATA takes a keen grip and can jump extravagantly as he showed at some of the fences on his chase debut at Ffos Las. Jacob gets on well with him, and the six-year-old can cope with a 9lb rise on this switch to a handicap. Fine Casting made a pleasing first run over fences himself when second to Carbon King at the same track and looks the main threat to my selection.

Race 4 No4 SHAKEM UP’ARRY (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones

The Randox Health Grand National is the big target for SHAKEM UP’ARRY, who can give Stage Star plenty to think about. My selection was made plenty of use of only to tie up over the last couple of fences in the Coral Trophy at Newbury, but in this smaller field he can make his bold and accurate jumping count. He ran well in this race 12 months ago and also at the Festival, and deserves to land a decent pot for Pauling and owner Harry Redknapp.

Race 5 No4 ED KEEPER (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

ED KEEPER is up against some in form opponents for this second run in a handicap, but so impressive was the six-year-old at Newbury that I’m confident he can make the necessary progress to follow-up. The six-year-old had the others stone cold fully two flights out on that occasion, to show that his previous defeat at Ascot was all wrong. He could be tested by COME ON TEDDY who is undoubtedly well handicapped, but as a horse with few miles on his racing clock he’s entitled to find extra and this track should play to his strengths.

Race 6 DORNAN ENGINEERING RELKEEL HURDLE (Grade 2)

No1 BOB OLINGER
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead – Jockey: Rachael Blackmore

BOB OLINGER won three of his four races over fences before being switched back to hurdles and has earned in three Graded races including a recent success in the Railway Bar Lismullen at Navan. He knuckled down well to make sure of victory after travelling best and retains an element of class as a nine-year-old that can see him repel the challenge of Marie’s Rock in the day’s feature.

EXETER

Race 4 No12 PENTIRE HEAD (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Angus Cheleda

PENTIRE HEAD brings the best form to the table in this maiden hurdle after looking far from straightforward in his first runs of the season at Wincanton. His tendency to run in snatches could be eliminated by the introduction of Cheleda to his saddle, and the combination can stave off the challenge of Iris Des Issards.

Race 5 No3 STELLAR STREAM
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Ben Godfrey

STELLAR STREAM looked like a horse getting ready to win when second to Haston Clermont at Lingfield last month. He’s been easy to back on both starts this season, but as that should have made him cherry ripe he can make it third time lucky since his switch to fences.

SOUTHWELL

Race 2 No5 LEN BRENNAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Tony Charlton – Jockey: Harry Reed

Veteran LEN BRENNAN is well worth a market check in this three-mile handicap chase. In spite of his increasing years he’s raced only one in the best part of two years, and on the best of the form shown for Milton Harris would enter calculations.

Race 4 No1 NEMEAN LION (Nap)
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick

NEMEAN LION is a fascinating runner in one of the best National Hunt races run at this track in recent years. Having skipped a valuable handicap at Ascot and then the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton he arrives at a tight track that should suit his style of racing, and where speed is of the essence. Spirit D’Aunou hails from a yard that can do no wrong and looms as a big threat, but might have to play second fiddle to the Nap.

Race 5 No6 PRETENDING
Trainer: Lucy Wadham – Jockey: Bryony Frost

Make Believe filly PRETENDING isn’t bred for jumping but the way she coped with a step up in trip to score at Sandown she looks a good purchase from the Flat. Since going jumping she’s also finished second three times, and her recent success should instil confidence in her.

CATTERICK BRIDGE

Race 4 No3 JIMMY CHOU PECOS AA (Nap)
Trainer: John McConnell – Jockey: Jack Hogan

JIMMY CHOU PECOS AA ran well to claim a cheque at Hexham for a trainer who excels with his runners in England, and especially at the smaller tracks. This consistent earner can open his account at the expense of Iorangi De L’Isle.

Race 5 No2 SKYHILL
Trainer: Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Callum Bewley

SKYHILL was easy to back and needed his first run back at Sedgefield where he had a good blow afterwards. The run should therefore have brought him closer to the boil and he can make this a fourth win in only eight attempts since going chasing.

NEWCASTLE

Race 3 No8 PENZANCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson

Lightly-raced and on a hat-trick for top connections, To Catch A Thief will take out a big chunk of the betting handle on this Class 2, but might find PENZANCE too hot to handle. The grey is in equally good order and will also make it three wins on the bounce if successful following clear-cut deliveries in a Class4 and a Class3 at Chelmsford.

Race 4 No3 SYMBOL OF LIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Tom Marquand

Godolphin cast-off SYMBOL OF LIGHT made gradual progress for his current trainer following a wind operation to run his best race of 2023 when third in a Class 2 at Kempton. The Shamardal gelding had very good form on sand as a three-year-old, and with so few miles on his racing clock looks the type that could reward his sporting owner through 2024.