Neil Morrice provides tips for Wednesday’s British race meetings at Leicester, Lingfield Park and Kempton Park on 12/01/2022.
LEICESTER – 12/01/2022
Race 1 No1 SKINFLINT
Trainer: Henry Oliver – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
With a number of near misses next to his name, it should only be a matter of time before SKINFLINT goes one better. He returned from an absence to post a good effort when beating all but Immortal Flame in a 20-runner handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter before Christmas, and should be just as effective now returned to fences.
Race 6 No7 CELMA DES BOIS (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Rowe – Jockey: Niall Houlihan
CELMA DES BOIS could be the answer to a weakly-contested nightcap and prove a bet worth waiting for. He posted a couple of very good efforts to finish runner-up in back-to-back visits to Chepstow, and has done plenty of work ahead of this first outing for almost ten months. He will enjoy the testing conditions, and also the Leicester track, which with its long home straight is not dissimilar.
LINGFIELD PARK – 12/01/2022
Race 2 No6 CAPPANANTY CON
Trainer: Mike Attwater – Jockey: Christian Howarth
The grey CAPPANANTY CON didn’t enjoy the rub of the green here last week. It’s almost a year since he last put his head on front, but he’s back on a winning mark, suggesting a return to winning ways could be in the offing.
Race 3 No7 MAGICAL DIAS (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
This is a gilt-edged opportunity for MAGICAL DIAS to open her account. The Havana Gold filly made Neat And Dandy pull out all the stops at Wolverhampton last month and can be even more effective dropped to six furlongs against a market rival (Income) who looks eminently beatable.
KEMPTON PARK – 12/01/2022
Race 4 No7 NEW SHEPARD (Nap)
Trainer: Robert Eddery – Jockey: David Probert
It should take something special to prevent NEW SHEPARD building on his recent wide margin success here. Both on that occasion and when beaten in a photo on his all-weather debut he’s looked a different horse, and with his strong sprinting pedigree is one to take seriously.
Race 5 No7 TRANQUIL NIGHT
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: David Probert
Probert has earned the right to be one of Godolphin’s go-to men while the Meydan season is starting to get into swing. Nobody is riding better on the UK all-weather circuit, and he can take out this novice stakes on the back of Invincible Spirit colt TRANQUIL NIGHT. The selection troubled the judge on his Yarmouth debut, and has trained well on Polytrack in Newmarket.
Race 8 No3 METAL MAN
Trainer: Rebecca Menzies – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
A 5lb penalty for his first win for Menzies at Lingfield shouldn’t prevent METAL MAN following-up on a first visit to Kempton. The former Irish-trained gelding has framed on all but one of six outings for his new trainer on sand, turf and in a novices’ chase. He is therefore a rare commodity who his connections should continue to have fun with under both racing codes through the winter.
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