Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Cheltenham, Wetherby, Uttoxter, and Newcastle, Wolverhampton on 16 November 2024.
CHELTENHAM
Race 2 No6 COME ON TEDDY (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Mr B O’Neill
Big things were expected of COME ON TEDDY when he switched to fences three years ago, but apart from scoring on debut over the larger obstacles at Uttoxeter he’s been unable to add to his laurels. Training issues have occasionally blunted his progress, but on this first run for a new stable he can get into the shake-up and is worth a speculative bet.
Race 3 PADDY POWER ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY TRIAL NOVICES’ CHASE
No7 PETIT TONNERRE
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
There was much to like about the way PETIT TONNERRE travelled and jumped on his return to fences at Aintree last month. He’s gone 15 starts since scoring on his first run out of Jackdaw’s Castle in the winter of 2022, but current indications suggest he’s going to pay to follow this season, starting with an earning run in this hot affair.
Race 4 PADDY POWER GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE
No15 WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Christian Williams – Jockey: Jack Tudor
This famous contest has been won by some high class chasers over the years, and while the renewal is competitive in its field size I doubt there’s even a semblance of a Gold Cup horse in that number. PROTEKTORAT is deserving of top weight following his clashes with the likes of Jonbon and the ill-fated Shishkin last season, and could have a say in the outcome while GINNY’S DESTINY was a top novice over fences last season.
However, I fancy the winner could come from lower in the weights via either IMAGINE or WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT. Imagine had good form in Ireland and makes a first start for Harry Derham who in his short time with a licence has shown he can get one ready. It would come as no surprise if Paul O’Brien’s mount is a blot on the handicap.
WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT was considered a future Gold Cup horse by his previous connections and in two starts for his new trainer has suggested he’s still got it. This big, old fashioned stamp of chaser is at the foot of the weights, and needs respecting.
Prediction: 1st WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT, 2nd Imagine, 3rd Ginny’s Destiny, 4th Protektorat
Race 5 No1 GOWEL ROAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
GOWEL ROAD put in a sterling first run back at The Open meeting here and figures to be straighter for that. He has winning form at this track, and although three years have elapsed since that last hurdling triumph he is fancied to get into the shake-up ahead of a possible switch back to fences later in the season.
Race 7 No5 JASMINE D’AIREY (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Mr Ben Sutton
In what could be a big day for this stable, JASMINE D’AIREY can cement her position as an exciting bumper prospect with victory in this mares’ race. She’s joined Derham with good point and bumper form to her name in Ireland, and if running as well as she’s been working should take away a cheque.
WETHERBY
Race 4 No1 PAY THE PIPER (Nap)
Trainer: Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
PAY THE PIPER has taken out a couple of Class3 handicap chases at Kelso whilst running well when second to Primoz over this course and distance. He travelled and jumped beautifully on his latest outing, making him the one to beat in spite of having to carry a welter burden in this race at the same level.
UTTOXETER
Race 1 No5 LAND AFAR (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
KINGSTON PRIDE is well regarded and almost certain to go off at odds-on, which should help LAND AFAR represent better value. The selection won a bumper at Ballinrobe before joining Bailey and finishing second on Rules debut at Huntingdon. He will have benefited from that, and it’s encouraging that his new trainer’s team is now running into form.
Race 7 No3 DRACO MALFOY
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
The same trainer/jockey combo can strike with DRACO MALFOY. The four-year-old delivered on his second and final point-to-point start in Ireland before his move to Gloucestershire, and having shown promise at home can make this debut under Rules a winning one.
NEWCASTLE
Race 8 No9 PROJECT GEOFIN (Nap)
Trainer: Geoff Oldroyd – Jockey: Jason Hart
It could prove wise to wait for PROJECT GEOFIN in the penultimate race as the best (and only) bet on the card. The Nap made it two wins from as many visits to Gosforth Park when scoring at the start of last month, then ran well in defeat when upped into a Class4 to advertise his well being. His chances are boosted by a cracking draw from which he can soon gain a handy stalking position.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No4 CHOREOGRAPHIC
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
CHOREOGRAPHIC earned a handicap mark when making a podium finish on her latest outing at Kempton. The Night of Thunder filly appreciated a step up to 1400 metres on that occasion, but should cope with a drop back to sprinting this evening.
Race 4 No7 BULLETIN
Trainer: Jonny Portman – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Advertise colt BULLETIN has troubled the judge on both career starts and went down in a tight finish on the most recent at Southwell. He had previously taken away a minor cheque on his debut at this course, and from a very good draw on the rail looks sure to be in the thick of things at the finish.
Race 8 No1 MAJESTIC (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
The 2022 Cambridgeshire winner MAJESTIC made a midfield placing in this year’s renewal when drawn on the less favoured side of the track. He was very easy to back in the controversial race at Chelmsford which was voided owing to a stalls failure. In fact, he was going happily enough when the field had to pull up. He’s probably not as good as he was, but having congaed ownership can make his mark in the colours of his former trainer Mick Channon.
Race 9 No4 STAR TIME (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: David Probert
As an unexposed winner making his first appearance in handicap company, STAR TIME is the go-to horse and should take out the nightcap. He landed some good bets in a Yarmouth maiden but ran well on his only visit to this course on debut, and should have more to offer.
