Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Hereford, Huntingdon, Lingfield Park, and Southwell on 12 November 2024.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No1 BITS N PIECES (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Finn Lambert
Twiston-Davies names many of his horses after hit singles from the Sixties and BITS N PIECES can make a move up the charts in this novices’ hurdle. It was in a humble seller that he finished fourth on his second start, but the run has brought him on and this looks an equally weak contest.
Race 6 No2 IKIGAI STAR
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Elizabeth Gale
IKIGAI STAR toughed it out to score at Southwell after a near miss on his comeback at Worcester. He’s very much in the zone, and can keep up the good work by dispatching Coup De Gold and Our Dylan
HUNTINGDON
Race 3 No4 SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Having stayed on well to chase home Vision De Maine at Uttoxeter on his first run for new kid on the block Aprahamian, SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE should now be fine tuned to post a first success in almost four years. He’s shown a liking for this course, and is building up a good understanding with his jockey.
Race 6 No2 NORMAN FLETCHER (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: James Turner
Though there’s not a lot of him, NORMAN FLETCHER is a pony with a kick, and should take out this two miles handicap hurdle as the best bet on the card. He came within an ace of delivering on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham, and this is easier.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No9 METKAYINA (Nap)
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Plenty of attention will be focused on the unbeaten Centreofattention but Nicky Henderson has been parsimonious with his runners owing to the lack of rain. If the gelding is in need of this first run over jumps he could find METKAYINA too hot the handle. The latter brings good bumper form into play, whilst as the only mare in the field receives a handy 6lb sex allowance.
Race 5 No1 VISION DE MAINE
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
If Special Acceptance runs well at Huntingdon we can expect VISION DE MAINE to start shorter for this novices’ handicap chase. The lightly-raced five-year-old has taken those exertions well, and should follow up as long as he isn’t affected by the bounce factor.
Race 6 No2 KEABLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Callum Pritchard
A market check is recommended on KEABLE, who though absent since March following a season hindered by training issues, has the ability to win this if he cares to put it all in. He is the proverbial joker in the pack.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No10 SHERLOCK
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
The eye is drawn to SHERLOCK, who attracted market support when claiming a minor cheque on his first run in a handicap at Newcastle, from which further progression is anticipated.
Race 4 No7 NAZUKI (Nap)
Trainer: Ollie Sangster – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Earthlight filly NAZUKI brings useful experience of this course to the table, having finished second on her belated debut a month ago. She’s been handed the luxury of the rail, and if making normal progress into her second start should get the job done.
Race 5 No8 CAJETAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
CAJETAN is another breaking from a good gate who is going to appreciate a return to the all-weather. He’s unbeaten in two starts on sand, at Newcastle and Kempton, and wasn’t disgraced when troubling the judge for minor money on his latest start at Newbury. He’s the first of two very interesting runners here from his stable.
Race 6 No5 METALLO ( Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
While Qazaq will be a popular order to remain unbeaten, there could be some mileage in METALLO who returns from an absence of well over a year. The Caravaggio gelding beat the very smart Dancing Gemini when opening his account at Salisbury and on his next two starts ran against City Of Troy at Newmarket and Arabian Crown on a return visit to Salisbury. He’s on the comeback trail, but has worked well on the all-weather at home.
