Neil Morrice provides tips for Saturday’s British race meetings at Sandown Park, Wincanton, Newcastle, Lingfield Park and Kempton Park on 08/01/2022.
SANDOWN PARK – 08/01/2022
Race 1 No1 ROMEO’S BOND (Nap)
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
From a stable that is excelling itself, ROMEO’S BOND can strengthen his claims for a tilt at one of the juvenile hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival by taking out an interesting opener. In cheek pieces, he’s done nothing wrong in two outings over jumps, winning easily at Exeter and chasing home Forever Blessed in a Grade 2 at this course. Now competing at a slightly lower level, he has strong claims and can regain the winning thread.
Race 3 No4 GOA LIL
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Consistency is the hallmark of GOA LIL, who can take this out in the colours of his trainer. The six-year-old has successfully mixed it both over hurdles and fences this season but comes off a near three month break. He looked in good order in his winding up work for this at Guiting Power.
Race 5 Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
No1 CONSTITUTION HILL
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Finding the horse to chase home CONSTITUTION HILL is perhaps the best course of action in the day’s feature. From a stable that houses the ante post favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in Jonbon, the five-year-old can state his own case for that prize by remaining unbeaten over jumps. He came home unchallenged by a big double figure margin on debut for Henderson over course and distance on debut under Rules in early December, and only a similarly authoritative display will suffice as he takes another step up the ladder. Datsalrightgino could be the one for the exacta.
Race 6 No2 SIR IVAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Fry – Jockey: Lorcan Murtagh
The veteran chases are regularly well patronised and this race is no exception. A three mile handicap chase here with a double figure field is a joy to watch, and the one that can really show his liking for the track is SIR IVAN. The 12-year-old is a superb jumper and ran one of his best races when third to Seeyouatmidnight on his only previous visit to the course. More recently he’s troubled the judge at Chepstow and Warwick, but this could prove to be his best winning chance of the season.
WINCANTON – 08/01/2022
Race 1 No7 GREAT OCEAN (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
Former winning pointer GREAT OCEAN brings an experience edge to the table to give him solid claims in this maiden hurdle. He’s knocked on the door in both starts over jumps and might know too much for newcomer Future Investment.
Race 3 No3 UNANSWERED PRAYERS
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
UNANSWERED PRAYERS can prove the pick of three penalised runners, for a stable really getting its act together after a sluggish start. The selection faced the impossible against subsequent Grade 1 scorer Stage Star, yet got to within just over seven lengths of him at Newbury in November. That’s arguably the best for on offer, and makes him the one to beat.
Race 4 No12 MI LADDO (Each Way)
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Mitchell Bastyan
The mercurial MI LADDO has an uncanny knack of taking home a cheque and should do so again under a conditional rider that knows him well. Prospects of an outright win will increase if it turns into a strongly run heat.
Race 5 No1 GREY DIAMOND (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Jack Tudor
GREY DIAMOND possibly did too much when last seen at Newbury in November, and had nothing left over the last couple of fences. He doesn’t have much slack to play with from a handicapping perspective, but this easier track could play to his strengths, and I fancy him to lead from tape to line.
NEWCASTLE – 08/01/2022
Race 7 No9 STOKES (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
STOKES receives a handy 12lb from the doubly-penalised Since Day One and can cash in. The Califet gelding gained useful experience of this course when second in a maiden hurdle before Christmas and will be more streetwise as well as fitter for the challenge that awaits him.
LINGFIELD PARK – 08/01/2022
Race 1 No3 HELVETIAN (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Frost – Jockey: Sean Levey
HELVETIAN did his best work at the finish here on Tuesday to indicate he’s ready to post a third success of the autumn and winter. He’s looked more effective since undergoing a wind op, and can give punters a good start to the day.
Race 3 No1 FAR AWAY THOUGHTS
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
Balding has a handful of chances, but FAR AWAY THOUGHTS rates one of the best as he defends a one race winning record in this novice median auction stakes. The Storm The Stars colt posted a 40-1 shocker on debut over course and distance in late November which was no fluke, and he can defy a penalty.
KEMPTON PARK – 08/01/2022
Race 7 No1 COLTRANE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Ron Hornby
COLTRANE has a much better record on turf, but after running a stormer on first outing for over a year at this course in November, might have bounced when a well beaten favourite at Newcastle. He’s been given a month to get over those exertions, and can demonstrate he’s a talented staying prospect.
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