Neil Morrice shares his best bets and tips for Friday’s British racing coming your way from Cheltenham, Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton on 11 November 2022.
CHELTENHAM
Race 1 No11 FINE CASTING (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Luca Morgan
FINE CASTING was far from the finished article when landing back-to-back successes in maiden and handicap company last winter, and wasn’t seen after his bid to complete a hat-trick fell short at Warwick in February. The six-year-old has strengthened up both physically and mentally and can cut it at this level before going chasing.
Race 4 No2 BALLYANDY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Former Festival Bumper and Betfair Hurdle winner BALLYANDY looks like seeing out his career over fences following an encouraging effort to trouble the judge on his reappearance at Perth. That should have done the 11-year-old the power of good, and he’s fitter and more focused now returned to his local track.
Race 5 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
No3 HERMES ALLEN (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
While it’s hard to rule anything out of the day’s feature, HERMES ALLEN looks the way to go on the back of a resounding debut success for his trainer at Stratford. The five-year-old came home unchallenged and looks an especially shrewd purchase from France, where he was placed on his only start. Collector’s Item and Weveallbeencaught are sure to test the selection, but he’s high in the pecking order at Ditcheat and should prevail.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No10 POWER OF GOLD (Nap)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Ross Coakley
POWER OF GOLD is on a recovery mission on a first visit to an all-weather track after being turned over as a 4-6 shot at Leicester last month. His trainer has given the Golden Horn colt plenty of time to regather himself following that costly defeat, and having worked well he’s in a good place to open his account.
Race 7 No2 DIVINE LIBRA
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: PJ McDonald
DIVINE LIBRA brings strong form to the table after an introduction at Kempton that saw him and the winner pull well clear of the remainder. The son of Dark Angel looked to know his job but will be even more effective with the benefit of that run under his belt.
Race 8 No10 TRULY CHARMING (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
Although yet to trouble the judge, TRULY CHARMING could easily impact this weakly contested nursery. She hasn’t attracted a penny of support in any of her four starts, but after gaining experience of the Gosforth Park track last time can now make an impact.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No4 DONAIRE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
DONAIRE put in a most encouraging first run for his trainer when in the money in a novice hurdle at Stratford. The former bumper winner will strip wiser for the experience, while he’s been found a race that shouldn’t take much winning.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 5 No6 REVOQUABLE
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Cam Hardie
REVOQUABLE is well drawn and boasts a strong record on the sand, having won and then finished third under a penalty in successive visits to Southwell. He remains on the Tapeta surface for this three-year-old only handicap which looks well within the gelding’s compass.
Race 6 No3 DOUBLE TIME
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: George Rooke
These colours have successfully been carried by both Flat horses and jumpers over the years, and in DOUBLE TIME have found a flag bearer that is doing them proud. The Bated Breath gelding not only doesn’t know how to run a bad race, but comes here in pursuit of what would be a deserved hat-trick, and from a plum draw on the rail has a great chance of achieving it.
Race 7 No5 STONKING (Nap)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Joshua Bryan
STONKING was beaten a long way when taking home a minor cheque on his second start and first on an all-weather surface at Kempton. The gelding is more knowledgeable now, and finds himself in a race that’s within his grasp as long as he makes normal progression.
