Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Saturday’s British meetings at Newbury, Warwick, Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton on 12/02/2022.
NEWBURY – 12/02/2022
Race 3 – Denman Chase (Grade 2): ELDORADO ALLEN
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
With question marks hanging over the horses of champion trainer Paul Nicholls, Clan Des Obeaux could be worth taking on in this Gold Cup trial with ELDORADO ALLEN.
The grey has done nothing wrong in three starts this season that included landing the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. Subsequent good efforts in defeat over further in the Peterborough and Silviniaco Chases at Huntingdon and Kempton have paved the way to this first attempt at the three mile distance, and the relaxed racing style of eight-year-old gives me every confidence he will get it.
Race 5 – BETFAIR HURDLE (Grade 3): JPR ONE (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
The best bet on the card, even though in the most competitive race, is the unexposed and upwardly mobile JPR ONE.
Novices have harvested this race in recent years, and with only three outings behind him the seven-year-old has any amount of scope for further improvement. His connections had their eyes firmly on this prize when sending him out to make it two wins over hurdles at Taunton, since when he’s been a steady mover in ante post lists. It’s on the cards that he will head the market, and he can stave off the challenges of Broomfield Burg and last year’s winner Soaring Glory, with Jetoile is possibly the most likely of the roughies to get involved.
Race 6: GREAT HEART’JAC
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Liam Harrison
A market check is advised on newcomer from the Flat King Ottokar, but the proven claims over jumps of GREAT HEART’JAC should be good enough to see him prevail. The selection stepped up considerably on previous efforts to make Moriko De Vassy pull out all the stops at Doncaster, form that if repeated makes him the one to beat.
Race 7: FILANDERER (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
From a family his trainer knows all about, FILANDERER overcame greenness to score going away on his debut at Warwick. A stablemate of the high class Our Jester, he’s going to improve markedly for that first foray onto the track and can take home another cheque.
WARWICK – 12/02/2022
Race 2: INDEFATIGABLE
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Rex Dingle
INDEFATIGABLE is no stranger to competing in small fields that make for tactical racing. The former Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Hurdle winner has the same jockey in the plate that guided her to that dramatic triumph two years ago. And as a dual scorer in Listed company, she appears to have a class edge on her opponents.
Race 3 – Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2): EDWARDSTONE (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
In order to go to the meeting as one of Britain’s best winning chances at the Cheltenham Festival, EDWARDSTONE needs to make this important trial for the Arkle Chase his fourth success on the bounce.
Unlucky not to be unbeaten over fences, the eight-year-old stylishly took out a Grade 1 at Sandown and a Grade 2 at Kempton. Reported to be at the top of his game for this first outing of 2022, he should have too many guns for Brave Seasca and Third Time Lucki, who can follow him home in that order.
Race 4: FINE CASTING
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
FINE CASTING has the wherewithal to successfully give away weight all round and complete a hat-trick in his handicap hurdle. The six-year-old has looked more assured with each outing this season, and especially when dotting up at Newbury on handicap hurdle debut. While his future is as a chaser, he’s one to stick with in this division.
Race 5: OUR POWER
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Looking for a third success from his last four outings. OUR POWER has plenty going for him in this handicap chase. He’s arguably unlucky not to have won his last three of four starts since joining his trainer, and gave the impression with his cosy Huntingdon triumph that there should be more to come.
UTTOXETER – 12/02/2022
Race 3: EMMAS JOY (Each Way)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Jack Andrews
One of the gamest jumpers in her powerful stable, EMMAS JOY is a fascinating runner now back over hurdles. Her three efforts over fences have not been without promise, but looking at her three smooth wins as a novice hurdler and creditable run behind Concertista in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival makes her of considerable interest.
Race 7: THE TOOJUMPA (Each Way)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Brian Hughes
THE TOOJUMPA skipped an opportunity earlier in the week to come here, and that move can pay dividends. After back-to-back unseats the mare had some confidence restored when troubling the judge at Wetherby and Ludlow, and now gets title race leader Brian Hughes to do the steering.
WOLVERHAMPTON – 12/02/2022
Race 3: BENEDICT WILDES (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Stevie Donohoe
With the benefit of a pleasing first run when second at Southwell, BENEDICT WILDES can confirm his liking of the Tapeta surface by going one better and showing he’s the best bet on a largely tricky twilight card.
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