Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Thursday’s British meetings at Ffos Las, Taunton, Chelmsford City and Aintree on 07/04/2022.
FFOS LAS – 07/04/2022
Race 3 No8 POLDARK CROSS (Nap)- Scratched (07/04/2022)
POLDARK CROSS couldn’t keep tabs on Chambard at Fontwell, but that form was given a mighty boost when the winner landed the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival. The selection retains the cheek pieces fitted that day, and can deservedly open his account under Rules.
TAUNTON – 07/04/2022
Race 1 No10 KOLISI (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore
KOLISI landed a nice gamble at Hereford on Sunday and returns to the track for a quick strike under a 7lb penalty. The former useful Flat racer looked much happier switched to handicaps, and can follow-up.
CHELMSFORD CITY – 07/04/2022
Race 4 No5 KOEMAN
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: John Egan
KOEMAN has shown with four earning runs from as many starts this year that he’s getting his mojo back. The eight-year-old can come out on top in what looks certain to be a tactical affair.
Race 7 No10 THE GAME OF LIFE (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: PJ McDonald
THE GAME OF LIFE posted his only UK success at this track but has gone 23 runs subsequently without another win. However, he’s not been beaten far on a couple of recent outings and looks poised to take home another cheque.
AINTREE – 07/04/2022
Race 1 SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
No5 THE WIDDOW MAKER (Each Way)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Carded to start as a roughie in a cracking first race of the Grand National Festival, THE WIDDOW MAKER is a speculative choice to cause an upset. The Mildmay Course fences take some jumping and his forte is an ability to meet obstacles on the correct stride. He was beaten fair and square by Emir Sacre at Chepstow, but as that was only his second outing over fences there could be better to come.
Race 2 Jewson Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
No7 PIED PIPER (Nap)
Trainer: Gordon Elliott – Jockey: Davy Russell
Triumph Hurdle third PIED PIPER sets a high standard for his rivals to aim at in this Aintree equivalent of the four-year-old hurdling championship. The chestnut lost his unbeaten record over jumps but was only two and threequarter lengths off the winner Vauban. He can make short work of these foes, of whom PETIT TONNERRE is a candidate for minor honours and should take away a cheque.
Race 3 Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1)
No2 CLAN DES OBEAUX
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
CLAN DES OBEAUX obliterated his opponents in the corresponding race 12 months ago and returns a fresh horse and strongly fancied to serve up a repeat. That happened with the assist of first time cheek pieces, was followed by a brilliant Trade 1 triumph in the Punchestown Gold Cup and then a near-Miss on his seasonal return in the King George VI Chase. The ten-year-old might have needed his run behind Eldorado Allen at Newbury in February, and can show himself to be the real deal by staving off the challenge PROTEKTORAT.
Race 4 Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)
No7 EPATANTE
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Aidan Coleman
This has cut up beautifully for EPATANTE to show that she’s still a Grade 1 hurdler. The ‘Fighting Fifth’ and Christmas Hurdle winner found only Honeysuckle her match in the Champion Hurdle, and without that exceptional rival to worry about can outclass her rivals, of whom ZANAHIYR looks the main threat.
Race 5 Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase
No13 JETT
Trainer: Robert Waley-Cohen – Jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen
With some of the main protagonists from the Cheltenham Foxhunters failing to show up, JETT can prove the main beneficiary. Crucial to his chance is the presence of a jockey with a cracking record over these famous fences, and the selection can show his shock defeat at Fontwell to be all wrong. PORLOCK BAY skipped Cheltenham and rates a big danger in spite of himself being tuned over when long odds-on at Fontwell, while PONT AVEN can also enter the argument if his jumping holds up.
Race 6 Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
No13 SHAKEM UP’ARRY (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
For value in a wide open contest I’m siding with the novice SHAKEM UP’ARRY. The smooth Haydock scorer has been beaten at that course and Newbury subsequently but can raise his game round a course where it’s important to be handily ridden. If getting into a nice rhythm he can put in an earning run, whilst others that should definitely go into all exotics are SKY PIRATE and BEFORE MIDNIGHT. The former is capable of bouncing back from an underwhelming run at Cheltenham, while Before Midnight is the winner of four of his last six starts over fences, did nothing wrong when second to Funambule Sivola at Doncaster and could have a lot more to offer.
Race 7 Goff’s UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race
No20 ROSY REDRUM
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Mitchell Bastyan
ROSY REDRUM was given plenty to do in a warm heat at Newbury and was unable to peg back Top Dog. Her trainer reaches for a first time hood, which if effective can help propel her to a famous victory. That said, she’s opposed by a plethora of recent winners of which the Dan Skelton-trained KATEIRA and NAUGHTINESSE are worthy of close inspection and should be included in all exotic wagering.
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