Neil Morrice provides tips for Monday’s British race meetings at Taunton, Ludlow, Wolverhampton, Ayr and Southwell on 10/01/2022.
TAUNTON – 10/01/2022
Race 1 No2 JPR ONE (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
JPR ONE looks an outstanding bet to get favourite backers off on the right note in this novices’ hurdle. His debut success at Exeter was followed by a cracking run in defeat when upgraded at Cheltenham. That form took a knock on Saturday, but I remain confident the five-year-old can return to winning ways now stepped up in trip.
Race 2 No12 SWORD BEACH (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
SWORD BEACH took the eye doing some good work in the late stages of his first run under Rules over this course and distance. The former useful Flay handicapper could give the free-going Knickerbocker glory something to think about I’d making the expected progress into this second outing over jumps.
Race 5 No7 CAP DU MATHAN
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
CAP DU MATHAN has to overcome an absence of more than a year after meeting with a couple of training issues. He’s developed into a strong, impressive individual and can take a hand in the finish of this handicap hurdle before his trainer switches him to fences.
LUDLOW – 10/01/2022
Race 4 No10 SAMTARA (Each Way)
Trainer: Martin Keighley – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
The value in this first leg of the divided maiden hurdle lies with SAMTARA. Key to his chance is his vast experience in handicap hurdles in the last two years, and though yet to open his account he’s finished second on no fewer than four occasions. He can give the novice Go Sacre Go plenty to think about.
Race 5 No1 BRIDGE NORTH (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
Daly has to be respected with his novices at his local track and BRIDGE NORTH looks to hold outstanding claims in the second division of the maiden hurdle. He’s taken home a cheque on each of his three starts for his handler, in a bumper, a novice hurdle and a handicap hurdle. Two of those efforts happened at this course, while he has a useful experience edge over his foes.
Race 7 No4 JOBESGREEN GIRL (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
From an outfit that can ready one for a bumper, JOBESGREEN GIRL can follow in the hoof prints of relative Jobesgreen Lad, winner of a handicap chase at Hereford last week. She’s shown ability in her preparatory work, and is definitely worth a market check.
WOLVERHAMPTON – 10/01/2022
Race 3 No3 BARE NECESSITY
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: John Fahy
Kodi Bear filly BARE NECESSITY has a good draw from which to improve on her eye taking first outing when placed at Kempton. The fitting of blinkers was off putting to the betting public who sent her off a 16-1 roughie, but there seemed no issue with her temperament, and if making normal progress she can win.
Race 5 No2 FOX TAL (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
FOX TAL is the best horse in this three-cornered puzzle, although his ability to deliver needs to be taken on trust. He’s troubled the judge on multiple occasions since his last win in 2019 but looks reluctant to get the job done. If different tactics are employed it could be a different story here.
AYR – 10/01/2022
Race 1 No3 ALLIE ROSE (Nap)
Trainer: Stuart Crawford – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Testing conditions will not faze ALLIE ROSE, who can end a frustrating run of ‘seconditis’ with a first success under Rules. The Fame And Glory mare has knocked on the door in recent starts at Down Royal, and now has the addition of title race leader Hughes to help her put her head in front.
Race 3 No2 DAKOTA MOIRETTE
Trainer: Andy Crook – Jockey: John Kington
The one that could improve on recent efforts is former Irish-based DAKOTA MOIRETTE. The nine-year-old shaped well on his first run for Crook when a 125-1 chance at Doncaster, and that third place finish begs to be stepped up on, as his new connections have had time to get to know him.
Race 5 No1 UNIVERSAL FOLLY
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Top weight UNIVERSAL FOLLY has been in good form through a busy autumn and early winter campaign. He recently notched a deserved success at Carlisle, where the ground was similarly testing to that he’ll encounter here, while he went down fighting against Diamond State at Musselburgh, combined form that makes him the one to beat.
SOUTHWELL – 10/01/2022
Race 1 No11 SEAGULLS NEST (Each Way)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Mr Eireann Cagney
Camelot mare SEAGULLS NEST is a long-standing maiden that has shown ability on several occasions though not in two outings for her new trainer. However, the visor that didn’t work at Chelmsford last time is now replaced by a hood, and an improved effort would not come as a surprise.
Race 3 No5 MASQOOL (Nap)
Trainer: James Evans – Jockey: Dougie Costello
With a couple of cracking runs under his belt since the new surface was unveiled here, MASQOOL is of considerable interest up only 3lb for his cosy triumph on New Year’s Day. He was backed as if defeat was out of the question that day, and has a good draw from which to operate.
Race 5 No3 GOVERNMENT
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
The grey GOVERNMENT takes the eye reappearing after a pleasing first outing over course and distance last month. He showed signs of greenness in the early stages before staying on when the penny started to drop. He can mirror the benefit of that educational first foray onto the track by opening his account.
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