Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newton Abbot, Fakenham, Nottingham and Kempton Park on 30 October 2024.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 3 No4 MAJOR FORTUNE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
MAJOR FORTUNE was a five times winner over hurdles last season and ended with a valiant run in defeat at Ayr. He’s been raised 6lb for that effort but smacks as the kind of horse that hasn’t stopped improving, and can pick up from where he left off.
Race 4 No4 ASTRONOMIC VIEW (Nap)
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Lucy Gardner
ASTRONOMIC VIEW can’t have conditions soft enough, as he showed with his impressive success at Warwick and defeats at Bangor and Wincanton. He’s only twice been out of the money in 13 runs in bumpers and hurdles, and should make another podium finish in his match up with EL GRANJERO.
Race 6 No10 SUPREME MALINAS
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
Granted their very good record with horses of his ilk, SUPREME MALINAS could make this first run under Rules a winning one. He came home unchallenged on his only completed run in a point in Ireland and has worked well with other well regarded bumper horses at home.
FAKENHAM
Race 5 No1 JUBILANT (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
JUBILANT was beaten in a bumper but has been given a long period to get educated as a hurdler by a trainer who can do no wrong with his jumps team. He’s built for the job, and should make no mistake in a race that’s cut up favourably for him.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 3 No2 GREY’S MONUMENT (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
GREY’S MONUMENT is going to enjoy stepping up the distance ladder given how long it took him to overhaul Northern Express at Redcar. That is very strong form in its own right, and the four-year-old is strongly fancied to complete a hat-trick at the main expense of QIRAT.
Race 6 No6 SOUND REASON (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Ben Robinson
SOUND REASON is still seeking a first win for his trainer but his turn could come in this Class5. He’s more than capable of landing a blow if getting a clean break from the stalls and has become well handicapped.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No4 DASH OF AZURE (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rob Hornby
DASH OF AZURE has twice narrowly missed out and can play an experience card against her foes in this first division of the fillies’ novice. The daughter of Blue Point is well drawn to attack on he4 switch to the all-weather.
Race 4 No7 OLIVIA JANE
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
OLIVIA JANE has the best form on offer courtesy of her narrow defeat on debut at Wolverhampton. She’s learned plenty from that first offering, and aside from being drawn wider than ideal appears to have the bases covered.
Race 9 No2 BEGGARMAN
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Rob Hornby
BEGGARMAN posted a Polytrack success on his first outing of 2024 and after running mainly on turf now gets the chance to advertise his preference for the all-weather. The chestnut faces mainly out of form rivals, and can take advantage.
Race 7 No1 MAVIS PIKE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
MAVIS PIKE looked for much of her comeback outing at Exeter like finishing in the shake-up only to weaken. She is better than the effort indicates, and now switched to handicapping can reveal her true ability, with top weight no barrier to her prospects.
