Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips from Friday’s British racing coming your way from Exeter, Fontwell Park, Hexham and Newcastle on 4 November 2022.
EXETER
Race 5 No10 MINELLA BUSTER
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
It’s hard not to have been impressed at how MINELLA BUSTER got the job done on his debut over fences at Kempton. The assessor reacted with a 9lb hike for the six-year-old, but that might not be able to stop him following up in this much better contest.
Race 6 Betway Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
No2 THIRD TIME LUCKI (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
First time could be the right time to catch THIRD TIME LUCKI who returned fresh from a break of over 200 days for this course’s biggest race of the season. His trainer adds a tongue tie to the seven-year-old who was never as good as when delivering on his first two starts last season at Cheltenham. His stable is really finding its feet, and he can stave off the challenges of top novice WAR LORD and the Celebration Chase winner GREANETEEN.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 2 No8 TEDDY BLUE (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Jamie Moore
TEDDY BLUE should make no mistake on this class drop, having run in some doughty foes including Knight Salute and Boombawn. This recruit from a top stable in France can gain a confidence boost on the way to being switched to handicaps.
Race 4 No5 PARLIAMENT HILL
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
PARLIAMENT HILL was always marking time in his career as a hurdler, in which he won two of his four starts for Olly Murphy. He’s been well prepared for this first run over fences, and I like the fact that his trainer is pitching him straight into a handicap.
Race 5 No1 ALKOPOP
Trainer: Toby Lawes – Jockey: James Bowen
ALKOPOP experienced a select campaign last season when he won here in late February. His jumping let him down on a couple of occasions but he goes well fresh, and on a terrain he likes he’s set for a big earning run.
HEXHAM
Race 4 No4 MALPAS (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
This is a tough card for punters but MALPAS could prove an exception in the two-mile handicap chase. It was at 5he end of last season that he got his act together with back-to-back successes over hurdles, and he’s been well prepared for this first run over fences.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No10 MAJIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler – Jockey: Alex Jary
MAJIL has knocked at the door and this daughter of Mehmas needs close inspection granted each of her three races on the all-weather have resulted in frame finishes. She is the only member of the field with scope for further improvement on the Tapeta surface.
Race 7 No11 POCKLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Linda Perratt – Jockey: Mark Winn
Lurking at the foot of the weights, POCKLEY is a pea out of the same pod as Majil in that he’s yet to score for his trainer, but there was clear evidence from a switch back to sand for the first time in two years that he can bring his A-game to the table and end a two year wait for a win.
