Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Sandown, Wincanton, Newcastle and Kempton on 6 January 2024.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No2 LORD OF THUNDER (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
LORD OF THUNDER was well backed and came home unchallenged in a novice hurdle over course and distance before Christmas. The Getaway gelding has his tail up after that slick display, and can stave off the dangerous threat of Hero’s De Romay.
Race 6 No3 ASTRONOMIC VIEW
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Lucy Gardner
This combination enjoyed a good winner at Exeter last week and in ASTRONOMIC VIEW have a horse that’s well overdue a delivery. The seven-year-old finished second at Exeter and Bangor and can notch a first triumph in just over a year, and first over hurdles.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No1 YOUGOGLENCOKO
Trainer: Doland McCain Jnr – Jockey: Abbie McCain
YOUGOGLENCOKO put in a polished display to score on her debut under Rules in a Kelso bumper in the autumn. Annie McCain was in the irons and can assist her mount in serving up a repeat under a 7lb penalty.
Race 2 No2 GARDENER (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Fergus Gregory
GARDENER came home by a distance after travelling strongly in the betting before his chase debut at Southwell. This lightly-raced individual could have much more to offer, and can preserve an unbeaten record for his handler.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No4 FIRE DEMON (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
While having to overcome a poor draw, FIRE DEMON brings the best form to the table in this six furlongs maiden. The Dark Angel colt went down in a blanket finish when odds-on for his latest start at this course but can put the record straight now pulled back to a sprint distance.
Race 3 No4 LESSAY
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
From the same stable LESSAY is the one who can dominate this novice race. The Churchill colt defied a market drift to score on his introduction here in mid December, and his trainer looks to have found him a perfect opportunity to showcase the value of that triumph.
Race 6 No5 SARSONS RISK
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Dougie Costello
SARSONS RISK has bagged the rail for this and can endorse the good recent form he’s displayed on the all-weather. Under Costello he looked to score with something in reserve at Southwell, and though his only two visits to this course proved fruitless that can all change.
