Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Wetherby, Worcester, Nottingham, and Kempton Park on 16 October 2024.
WETHERBY
Race 2 No2 PAY THE PIPER (Nap)
Trainer: Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
PAY THE PIPER is a good jumper whose recent Kelso triumph makes him the go-to horse against multiple scorer Escapeandevade. The Nap holds Grey Diamond from that latest run, and could have a fitness edge on the top weight.
Race 3 No6 OPEC
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Sea The Moon filly OPEC looked poised for victory when falling on her hurdling bow at Market Rasen. In the belief that she would have beaten the eventual winner Play Pretend I shall back her to make amends for a stable doing well with its few jumps runners.
Race 6 No1 STORMINHOME
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Kielan Woods
A change of scenery can assist STORMINHOME to take the honours on a first run for the Skeltons in an admittedly deep novices’ handicap chase.
The top weight has left an equally powerful stable to join his new handler, and is strongly fancied to post a first win over fences, although MONTREGARD one to have a saver on.
Race 7 No7 TRIBAL GLORY
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Mr Ben Sutton
While it’s preferable for a horse to have a fair amount of previous hurdling form when engaging handicappers, TRIBAL GLORY can prove an exception to the rule. He ran well in maiden hurdles at Newton Abbot in the late summer and can add this to his point-to-point and bumper successes.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No1 EL ELEFANTE
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Patrick Wedge
West Balboa is a fascinating addition to the chase ranks but EL ELEFANTE is a much more old-fashioned type for fences and could surprise her.
The selection contested some strong races over hurdles as a novice last season and has schooled well ahead of being a rare runner for her trainer at this track.
Race 3 No11 TORMUND GIANTSBANE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
TORMUND GIANTSBANE was the winner of his only point and joined the Skeltons from a good source to suggest he can make this first run under Rules a winning one.
The Mount Nelson four-year-old can have the measure of Ocean Walz, who with a couple of near misses in bumpers last season brings the best form to the table.
Race 4 No3 BIG JOHN WAYNE (Nap)
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Patrick Wedge
While this is undoubtedly a warm heat I would be surprised if BIG JOHN WAYNE isn’t good enough.
The giant six-year-old is held in high regard by his trainer and would have won at Newcastle but for an unprompted final flight exit. He’s tipped to go a long way and isn’t making the journey from Scotland just for the good of his health.
Race 5 No8 THE KEMBLE BREWERY
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
In another race in which to play on an interesting card, THE KEMBLE BREWERY can take the spoils.
This impressive winner of a Cheltenham bumper a year ago was turned over when odds-on for his first run over jumps, only to come away with a problem. He’s been given the time required to recover, and is ready for this interesting clash with JURANCON.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 1 No1 ARCHIVIST (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
ARCHIVIST would be a popular winner of this maiden for a legendary trainer having his final runners at Colwick Park.
The Dubawi colt chased home Starzintheireyes at Leicester and that form was given a hearty boost when the winner followed-up in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket. He’s napped to start repaying some of his 600,000 guineas purchase price.
Race 4 No1 AERION POWER (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
As long as he handles the easy conditions AERION POWER should make a good fist of making this a second success at Nottingham in 2024.
He troubled the judge in a better race at Doncaster last month, which makes him of particular appeal now dropped into a Class3 on terrain he knows well.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No7 KEEP SINGING
Trainer: Stan Moore – Jockey: Joe Leavy
KEEP SINGING was carded to run at Leicester yesterday, but her owners are not against bringing her out again quickly under the same top apprentice.
The plan was for her to return to Moore’s stables last night, and if showing no adverse effects run for the second time in just 24 hours.
Race 5 No4 DARN HOT MYSTERY (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
Having been denied in the final strides at Lingfield, DARN HOT MYSTERY can cash in on a plum draw in this race around a right-handed bend. The daughter of Too Darn Hot has the best form and should make further progression on her third career start.
Race 6 No3 LOVING LOOK (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Speriamo hails from a small stable taking on some of the top yards and should give a good account in this fillies’ handicap but Expert Eye filly LOVING LOOK is just preferred.
The selection is unbeaten in one visit to this course and followed that up with a solid run in defeat in a Class4 at Newbury. She should get into the shake-up in a lower grade contest.
Race 8 No3 MINNIE WILDES
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
The completion of a hat-trick looks on the cards for MINNIE WILDES who wasn’t extended to make it two from two at Newcastle and can remain unbeaten on her first run in a handicap.
