Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Leicester, Plumpton, Southwell and Wolverhampton on 18 November 2024.
LEICESTER
Race 4 No4 ALMAZHAR GARDE
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
Consistency is the watchword of ALMAZHAR GARDE who often likes to front run. His best ever run happened under the same jockey who is in the irons today, while the Oadby track with its long home straight should play to this bold jumper’s strengths.
Race 7 No11 KING OTTOKAR (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: James Bowen
Having crept into this handicap hurdle at the foot of the weights, KING OTTOKAR is a most interesting proposition. He needs to overcome a massive layoff, but showed promise in each of his three outings under Rules and hails from a top stable with a very much in-form jockey doing the steering.
PLUMPTON
Race 1 No1 CANAL COURT
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Rex Dingle
After a near miss on Rules debut at Kempton, CANAL COURT is equipped with a first-time tongue-tie for this clash with Roman Roy, and granted normal improvement can get punters off to a good start at a meeting that’s been affected by the quicker ground, with smaller field sizes than is expected at this time of year.
Race 4 No1 SMUGGLERS HAVEN (Nap)
Trainer: Sara Bradstock – Jockey: Miss Lily Bradstock
SMUGGLERS HAVEN did us a good turn when scoring at Hereford under a cracking ride from the front by Nico de Boinville. The mare has taken those exertions in her stride and now gets her welter burden reduced by the 7lb claim of trainer’s daughter Lily Bradstock.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No3 FLIGHTOFTHEPHOENIX (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Jason Watson
From a cracking draw, once-raced FLIGHTOFTHEPHOENIX should prove hard to beat in this fillies’ maiden. The daughter of Phoenix Of Spain made a pleasing introduction to claim a minor cheque in a tight finish at Kempton and found herself in a better part of the gate than market rival Zanzoun for this race around a left-handed bend.
Race 8 No5 TWISTING PHYSICS
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Hector Crouch
TWISTING PHYSICS attracted plenty of interest in the market before finishing fourth on debut at Salisbury back in August. He’s been given the time required to develop both physically and mentally, and in an admittedly open heat can show that those initial losses were merely lent.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No11 KEEP SINGING ( Each Way)
Trainer: Stan Moore – Jockey: Kieran O’Neill
KEEP SINGING has had her progression compromised by a tendency to sit back in the gate, one which caused her to sustain a minor injury on her latest start. The Kameko filly has been given time to recover from that minor setback, and if breaking on terms could get into the shake-up.
Race 4 No1 GOOD BANTER (Nap)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
While it’s always difficult to win under a penalty, GOOD BANTER can use his proven experience to tell effect against a couple of well-related newcomers in a race where he’s drawn to attack. The Calyx colt has done well since his success here two months ago and should prove hard to beat.
Race 5 No7 CHIEF MANKATO
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
CHIEF MANKATO has on his last two outings started to put some minor training issues behind him. He looked unfortunate to be nailed in the final stride over this course and distance, and with the cheek pieces her wore for the first time that day retained, can go one better.
