Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Musselburgh and Wolverhampton on 5 December 2022.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No5 BONTTAY
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
BONTTAY ran into the smart Queens Gamble on her return to action at Cheltenham. No match for that very smart rival, she’s been made more focussed for the run, and should deliver on this first outing over hurdles for a trainer in red hot form
Race 4 No1 LIGHT EM UP NIGEL (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Martin – Jockey: James Bowen
After four near-misses LIGHT EM UP NIGEL enters the handicap arena with a gilt-edged chance to open his account. There seems to be nothing ungenuine about the selection, but he needs to make the step into the winner’s circle in this weak-looking heat.
Race 6 No8 KENNY GEORGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Marc Goldstein
KENNY GEORGE plugged away for a minor cheque at this course last month and is getting closer to another success over hurdles. The last time that happened was three years ago, but he has conditions in his favour and will be staying on when some of these have cried enough.
Race 7 No4 CELMA DES BOIS (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Rowe – Jockey: Niall Houlihan
CELMA DES BOIS was a winner on his reappearance last season but then suffered from a breathing affliction. It could be wise to draw a line through his final three outings and back him to earn at a big price now that he’s undergone corrective surgery.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No1 GENERAL OFFICER (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
GENERAL OFFICER could hardly have been more impressive when scoring on his hurdles introduction over this course and distance last month, justifying heavy market support to beat Telhimlisten by a wide margin. The former winning Irish pointer looks like a smart acquisition into his powerful stable, and should repel the challenge of Sedgefield scorer Legendary Day.
Race 4 No2 MASKED CRUSADER
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
MASKED CRUSADER proved easy to back on his comeback outing and chase debut at Catterick and performed like a horse that would benefit for the experience. The dual novice hurdle winner may be more at home on this right-handed course, and can gain compensation.
Race 6 No6 COURT DREAMING
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
COURT DREAMING returned from a four-month absence to gamely resist Dallas Des Pictons at Carlisle. He appreciated the return to fences, and on a third career visit to this venue can outstay his foes under the former champion conditional jockey.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 7 No3 MOBASHR (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Jason Watson
MOBASHR attracted a welter of support failing to menace on his return from a five-month absence at Lingfield. It was a rare blip at a course where he’s won twice, but if putting his best foot forward on this first visit to Dunstall Park he’ll be hard to beat.
Race 9 No9 BAZALGETTE (Each Way)
Trainer: Stella Barclay – Jockey: Faye McManoman
BAZAGETTE hasn’t shown a flicker of form since joining his current trainer, but in the belief that he’s taken a while to settle in he’s put up as a sporting bet to earn although Mafia Power and Richard R H B are also worth including in exotic permutations.
