Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Newcastle, Bangor-on-dee and Wolverhampton on 29 November 2025.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No9 LEADER IN THE PARK
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
LEADER IN THE PARK belongs to a small group of horses Pauling sees as his best prospects for handicap chases and returns having taken well to jumping in his first season, in which he landed two novice handicap chases and was ambitiously campaigned. He was never better than when making all at Kempton on Boxing Day, and though a tad disappointing on his final starts at Kelso and Ayr is a more rounded unit now.
Race. 4 No3 FRENCH SHIP
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Harry Cobden
FRENCH SHIP found a smart change of gear to power up the final hill at Cheltenham after an uncharacteristic fall cost him what looked probably victory at Chepstow. He’s skipped a subsequent opportunity, but Hobbs and his Co trainer Johnson White feel there should be plenty more to come for him.
Race 5 No1 LIVE CONTI (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Tristan Durrell
LIVE CONTI entered the fray slightly later than ideal when scoring on Rules Debut at Wetherby in February and swerved Cheltenham to wait for Aintree where he finished second in its version of the Triumph Hurdle. The former French trained four-year-old is an outstanding prospect and can take this intermediate hurdle in his stride on the way to better things.
Race 6 CORAL GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE
No13 THE CHANGING MAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
PIC ROC belatedly opened his account over fences with a new jockey when successful at Huntingdon, but has Jones back in the hot seat for this return to track where he ran well on his only previous visit. His trainer would be the first to admit the chestnut hasn’t so far lived up to the expectations held for him as a chaser, but although it’s not certain that he will relish the hustle and bustle of this very good betting race he looks temptingly treated at the foot of the handicap and if enjoying it can outrun his long odds. THE CHANGING MAN is another second season novice that can go well and should go into all exotics. Last season’s Reynoldstown Chase winner finished second in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle and again on his return to action at Ascot. He’s a very good jumper and should make a good fist of it from close to the pace. LOWRY’S BAR is one that can go well at a big price on his reappearance for the Hobbs stable but as he lacks a recent outing is risky. It’s hard to knock the claims of Olly Murphy’s RESPLENDENT GREY whose defeat of Handstands at Carlisle has been endorsed by the second. As the winner of three of his five chase starts as a novice MYRETOWN comes firmly into the argument for a trainer that can be lethal when bringing her handicap chasers south from Scotland. He was a case in point when landing a massive gamble in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival with The Changing Man his closest pursuer and that looks very strong form.
Prediction: 1st THE CHANGING MAN, 2nd Myretown, 3rd Pic Roc, 4th Resplendent Grey, 5th Lowry’s Bar
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No4 ZANNDABAD
Trainer: Tony Martin – Jockey: Daniel King
ZANNDABAD faces an inexperienced but interesting foe in OUT OF THE WOODS who looks his main challenger but the first named horse looked to score with plenty 8n hand at Sedgefield and represents a trainer who only comes here when he means business.
Race 5 BETMGM FIGHTING FIFTH HURDLE (Grade 1)
No4 THE NEW LION (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
In what could prove a clash to savour, THE NEW LION can expose the flaws that have recently haunted CONSTITUTION HILL. The last named horse took out this race in 2022 but after his brilliant successes in the Supreme and Champion Hurdles his history became chequered. Silly jumping errors cost him on return visits to Cheltenham, while when last seen in the Grade 1 Boodles at Punchestown his effort petered out tamely from the second last. His connections have however been buoyed by the way he’s worked both at home and in a racecourse gallop. THE NEW LION enjoyed an outstanding season for the Skeltons over longer distances, culminating in a smooth success in the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival. The big question is whether he can cope with a drop to two miles but as he showed speed on more than one occasion last winter it could be worth giving him the benefit of the doubt. He’s a very exciting prospect for owner JP McManus and can with victory in this historic race emerge as favourite for the Champion Hurdle.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 3 No4 REGAL RENAISSANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
REGAL RENAISSANCE possibly needed her first run back when second at Warwick and is now 1lb lower. She’s a good jumper who has strong claims to go one better for a stable amongst the winners.
Race 4 No3 MAGICAL KING
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Charlie Hammond
MAGICAL KING is at his best when allowed to bowl along, and if similar tactics are employed he can make a winning return in a race in which GRAND ALBERT should also give a good account.
Race 5 No7 PASSING KATE
Trainer: Matt Sheppard – Jockey: Lee Edwards
PASSING KATE fought back well after being headed on her seasonal return at Uttoxeter in a race she will have derived benefit from. She has a good win to run record as a chaser, and can add to her laurels as a fitter mare.
DONCASTER
Race 3 No3 CRYSTAL DAYS (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Callum Pritchard
CRYSTAL DAYS was doing her best work at the finish on hurdles debut when chasing home a couple of good yardsticks. With the benefit of that largely educational run under her belt she can end the unbeaten run of MADAME LUNA.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 9 No7 ELECTRIC BASS (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Teal – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
ELECTRIC BASS showed an aptitude for the Dunstall Park Tapeta surface in the spring, and echoed his current well being when dead heating at Kempton, only to be disqualified for interference. His ring of consistency makes him the one to beat in the finale.
