Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Hereford, Newcastle and Kempton Park on 4 January 2023.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No8 HENRI LE BON (Each Way)
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Angus Cheleda
This is a good playground for HENRI LE BON to further demonstrate his consistency with another earning run for his locally-based trainer. In three outings since his return to the fray in September the Sea The Stars gelding has attracted considerable market support but been forced to play a supporting role. If he’s to recoup those losses he needs to stave off the challenges of Fazayte and Baliyad, who should also assist in exotic permutations in a good betting heat.
Race 3 No2 BIG CHANGES (Nap)
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Lewis Dobb
Irish challenger and top weight Diego’s Way needs respecting but faces a doughty foe in BIG CHANGES, who with few miles on his racing clock is open to progression. The selection has gained both his successes under today’s rider and wasn’t at his best when going for the three-timer at Wetherby. He’s fancied to bounce back from that costly defeat and make this a third win from only five outings over fences.
Race 7 No11 KESTREL VALLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Matt Sheppard – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
Although underwhelming on her latest outing, KESTREL VALLEY is capable of raising her game in a race in which she earned 12 months ago. The Dr Massini mare is most effective when racing up with the pace, and if getting into a jumping rhythm can record an overdue first success over fences.
NEWCASTLE
Race 6 No6 DEEPDALE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Phil Dennis
This stable gave us a nice winner at the same track on Monday and in DEEPDALE houses a filly that could easily improve now in a handicap. The daughter of Tasleet has raced exclusively at Gosforth Park, starting between 12-1 and 66-1, though on the latter occasion she was far from disgraced and obtained a sensible opening mark. It also appeared that this six furlongs is a better trip for her at this stage than seven.
Race 8 No2 FINAL FRONTIER
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Jason Hart
FINAL FRONTIER has gone 2332 in his most recent races to suggest he’s on the cusp of a deserved breakthrough. When narrowly held at Southwell last time it was the first occasion there had been money for him, and he also ran well when switched to the Tapeta here in October. Granted the rub of the green he has to be a player in this concluding second leg of the sprint handicap.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No8 SAPPHIRE SEAS (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Godolphin could have a stranglehold on this fillies’ novice, with Star Guest set to go off short after a very encouraging first run at Lingfield. On paper she is the one to beat, but for value I would rather chance her stablemate SAPPHIRE SEAS. This beautifully bred daughter of Frankel would not be a surprise winner granted her pedigree profile coupled with the fact that winner machine Doyle is in the hot seat.
Race 6 No10 WURLITZER
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Marquand
WURLITZER progressed in a select campaign to open his account on the final of three starts at Wolverhampton last year. It was the first time Marquand had ridden him and happened with the addition of a first-time visor. With the same jockey on his back and getting weight from each of his opponents in an admittedly better race the five-year-old can follow-up.
Race 7 No11 WIZARDING
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Joshua Bryan
There’s every chance that this could turn into a close rematch between Satin Snake and WIZARDING, who were separated by threequarters of a length over course and distance before Christmas. At the revised weights it should be another interesting encounter, but Wizarding looks to hold a bit more scope for improvement on only his sixth career start, and can turn the tables.
Race 8 No5 SICARIO (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Possibly the best bet on this card and one worth waiting for is SICARIO. The Nap has taken away a cheque in all but one of his seven outings for Appleby, he’s well drawn and has a top pilot in the irons. All things being equal he’s in a good place to gain a deserved first success since his move to England from Ireland.
