Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Leicester, Catterick Bridge and Newcastle on 28 December 2022.
LEICESTER
Race 1 No4 RED DIRT ROAD
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Respect is afforded to Cuthbert Dibble who shaped well on his jumps debut, but RED DIRT ROAD also impressed with the way he put his race to bed at Southwell, and this former point winner in Ireland can remain unbeaten.
Race 2 No6 UNEXPECTED PARTY
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
UNEXPECTED PARTY finds himself in calmer waters than the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown, in which he finished third to Jonbon. The grey has this to lose, as his chasing form is easily the best on offer, and he should prove too hot for his foes to handle.
Race 3 No3 AMBASSADOR
Trainer: Martin Keighley – Jockey: Sean Bowen
AMBASSADOR looks the answer to this humble seller on a first outing for his trainer. The selection was placed on several occasions before moving stables, and though coming back off a 16-month break will be hard to beat if retaining even a semblance of that old ability.
Race 5 No8 MILLDAM (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
MILLDAM could be the answer to this in receipt of a stone from the classy Playful Saint. The grey is unfortunate not to have won over jumps, having been ridden over enthusiastically at Hexham in a race for which he started a well backed favourite. Granted more patient handling on this handicap debut, he can put the record straight.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 1 No1 RELKADAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Peter Kavanagh
Course specialist RELKADAM gained his last success at this track just under a year ago and could now be ready to strike again. His two outings following wind surgery do not make pleasant reading, but he could easily bounce back and is dangerous to ignore.
Race 2 No4 CHASE A FORTUNE (Each Way)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Danny McManamin
CHASE A FORTUNE would be a deserving winner of this after two near misses in as many starts this season. He made Chapel Green pull out all the stops on his first run over jumps at Kelso, will have learned from that and has former champion conditional McManamin in the plate for the first time.
Race 4 No8 BRETNEY (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
This tight track should play to the strengths of BRETNEY, who likes to be up with the pace and has produced his best form on similar courses. Often a front runner, the selection has only finished out of the frame once in his last dozen outings. He seems as good going left or right handed, and is ready to cash in on a first visit to this venue.
Race 6 No2 BENTS HOLLOW
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
BENTS HOLLOW was beating trees when taking out a novice hurdle at Musselburgh just as he liked, and while the value of that form is hard to assess, he looks the ready made answer to this stronger contest, and can complete a fine hat-trick.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No1 PERFECT SWISS
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
PERFECT SWISS attracted market support before swooping to conquer in a head bob at Southwell. Though 5lb higher for that tenacious triumph, he boasts three successes on this Tapeta course as well as a number of solid runs in defeat, and looks the one to beat.
Race 3 No1 CENTRAL HALL (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
CENTRAL HALL returns from a more than 100 day break sporting first time cheek pieces. Having earned in both his career starts, he was downed as a warm favourite at Kempton in the autumn, but has greatly benefitted from a break, and can prove too strong for Irish Flame, for whom a market check is recommended.
Race 4 No2 STREAK LIGHTNING (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: James Sullivan
STREAK LIGHTNING spraying. 28-1 surprise over course and distance back in March, and is a dual scorer here who can run well from a break. His form since joining the Carr stable has been in and out, but should he turn up in the same form as when last seen, he can earn.
Race 6 No8 SEABREEZES (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Tom Eaves
SEABREEZES showed much more when troubling the judge on her handicap bow at Southwell. The daughter of Washington Dc is getting used to the rudiments of racing, and with a bit more progression should take away another cheque.
