Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Kempton Park, Warwick, Wetherby, Lingfield Park and Chelmsford City on 14 January 2023.
Check out Neil’s video preview for Warwick’s and Kempton Park’s racing taking place on Saturday.
KEMPTON PARK
RACE 4 Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2)
No3 SAINT CALVADOS
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Mr David Maxwell
SAINT CALVADOS set a suicidal pace and played into the hands of his sole opponent when beaten by Coole Cody at Ascot on a first start for owner-rider David Maxwell. It is sensible to put a line through that performance and give the ten-year-old another chance. He’s a very good operator on his day and put in a career best when third to Tornado Flyer in the 2021 King George at this track.
Race 5 Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle
No18 SCARFACE (Each Way)
TRAINER: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
This betting extravaganza for which Hollywoodbets offer extended places can see novice SCARFACE put in an earning run. The six-year-old is marking time as a hurdler and will be a fine addition to the chasing ranks next season, but in the meantime can cash in on his low weight. He is a winner of both his races this winter, and just needs to show this first handicap assignment is not a baptism of fire. STAG HORN is a pea out of the same pod but lacks a recent outing, and more obvious for exotic permutations are WEST BALBOA and OUTLAW PETER. But at longer prices COBBLERS DREAM and UP FOR PAROLE also enter the argument as must includes.
Prediction: 1st SCARFACE, 2nd Cobblers Dream, 3rd Up For Parole, 4th West Balboa, 5th Stag Horn
Race 7 No5 DEERE MARK (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
DEERE MARK has been a ray of light for this stable in a patch where several of its horses have been unlucky not to win. Making his handicap debut following a first win over hurdles at Hereford. The Pether’s Moon gelding looks weighted to carry on his good work and is Napped.
WARWICK
Race 2 No4 BUN DORAN
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
Veteran BUN DORAN had his fire rekindled by new tactics when he was held up in a competitive race at Ludlow last month. The 12-year-old came storming through to such effect at the business end that he failed by the proverbial length of a well smoked cigarette to catch Desque De L’Isle. The set of fences down the back stretch here are tailor made for his bold jumping, and by taking this historic race he can show he’s no back number.
Race 4 Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
No6 MOON HUNTER
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Adrian Heskin
This will shed light on the betting for the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett Hurdles at the Festival. Every one of the seven contenders have won their last or last two races, and the field includes well regarded prospects like Givega, Grey Dawning and Knowsley Road. They are all greatly respected, but in the prevailing conditions MOON HUNTER can post a minor upset. The six-year-old dug deep into his reserves to complete a hat-trick at Doncaster and should be suited by the very testing ground he’ll encounter in what is without question the best quality race on a fine card.
Race 5 Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase
No3 IWILLDOIT (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
This potential war of attrition can be won by IWILLDOIT, winner of last season’s Welsh Grand National but conspicuous by his absence from the track subsequently. Interestingly the selection is barely out of the novice stage as a chaser, as Chepstow was only his fourth run over fences, and third win. Confidence that he can go well today is heightened by the fact he’s shown the ability to return fully tuned from a long lay-off, and while his stable hasn’t fired out as many winners as they would have liked over Christmas and New Year, nearly everything from the yard has run well. FORTESCUE failed to fire in last month’s Welsh National but could easily bounce back to take home a cheque, while MR INCREDIBLE is a fascinating and rare runner here for Willie Mullins. GRUMPY CHARLEY outstayed his foes to win Newbury’s Mandarin Chase and is another to have on your shortlist. LORD DU MESNIL is also equipped to put in a big run.
Prediction: 1st IWILLDOIT, 2nd Fortescue, 3rd Grumpy Charley, 4th Mr Incredible, 5th Lord Du Mesnil
Race 6 No8 THE BOMBER LISTON
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
Named after heavyweight champion boxer Charles ‘Sonny’ Liston, THE BOMBER LISTON can strike a chord for a Henderson yard that has been quiet by its high standards. The Yeats gelding finished in the money behind Grey Dawning in a hot heat at Kempton on Boxing Day, travelling kindly for much of the way. His chances will escalate if Grey Dawning runs well in the big novice hurdle earlier on this card.
WETHERBY
Race 1 No2 BALLYBEG BOSS (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
BALLYBEG BOSS put in an eye taking first run under Rules when second to Alcedon a Hereford bumper. The former winning Irish pointer has schooled well ahead of this first outing over jumps and looks a strong favourite to get the ball rolling.
Race 2 No5 GALUDON
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
GALUDON needs to put behind him an underwhelming run at Chepstow, where in the home straight he appeared by be going neither forwards nor backwards, and was never a threat after being heavily supported. He’s a fair bit better than the effort implies, and having side-stepped a couple of opportunities can now show his true worth.
Race 3 No6 DESTINED TO SHINE
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
DESTINED TO SHINE has to concede age to his five foes in this two-mile handicap chase but should be able to carry out the task in hand on a first run for the best part of a year. He has vast experience of this course, and though yet to win there can now lay that ghost to rest.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No5 SPRING PROMISE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
Some very good jumps action overshadows the all-weather racing and that’s the way it should be at this time of year. Both sand fixtures fall a bit short in allure, but SPRING PROMISE needs close inspection in the betting for this fillies’ novice. The half-sister to July Cup hero Naval Crown is the subject of favourable reports from Newmarket, and can trump her more experienced stablemate Star Guest.
Race 7 No7 BEAU GESTE
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Molly Gunn
Tony Carroll fields paper favourite Night Traveller but a better value option is his other runner BEAU GESTE. The latter returns from a 200-day absence but shouldn’t be underestimated as he has shown a knack of going well after a break.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No11 STREET POET (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
STREET POET has a good draw in this classified race. The veteran’s last two successes have happened at the Essex venue, and granted luck in running he can get into the shake-up at big double-figure price.
