Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming to you from Ascot, Chepstow, Catterick Bridge and Kempton Park on 18 November 2022.
ASCOT
Race 1 No8 BOOM BOOM
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
This is a meeting Henderson regularly targets with his horses and BOOM BOOM would be an aptly-named winner of the opening novices’ hurdle. The Califet gelding earned in each of his two outings in bumpers, having chased the shadow of Leave Of Absence at Kempton and Newbury. He’s taken well to hurdling on the practice ground at Seven Barrows.
Race 4 No8 BOTHWELL BRIDGE
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Although going off the radar, BOTHWELL BRIDGE is the type that can bounce back on seasonal return. He was a clear cut winner of a novices’ handicap chase when reappearing at Sandown at this time last year, but after falling on his next start at Kempton was pulled up on two subsequent runs. He remains a relatively unexposed horse that has been given a chance by the handicapper.
Race 6 No5 GYPSY DE CHOISEL
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Henderson’s GYPSY DE CHOISEL was highly tried after arriving off a success at Angers in France but cost his supporters dear. He was given a year to strengthen up, and came back to score in decisive fashion at Warwick in the late spring. He’s a horse with untapped potential, and is ready for this latest return from a break.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No8 HERO
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
Several take the eye in this maiden hurdle but none more than HERO. The five-year-old gained experience of this course when second on his only start in March for which he attracted support and beat 3verything bar the well regarded Knowsley Road. He’s trained with verve for this first outing over jumps.
Race 3 No5 FLOWING CADENZA
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Ned Fox
FLOWING CADENZA delivered when returning to hurdles for her now retired handler in February and has subsequently joined a top operation whose horses generally love to get their toes into the ground. She is of serious interest on debut for this stable and back over fences, and needs respecting.
Race 4 No8 OMAN
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Though lacking a run over hurdles, OMAN brings solid Flat form to the table in which sphere he gained a 90 rating. If that can be transferred to his new discipline the gelding will be hard to beat. It’s a big ‘if’, but he’s with a trainer that excels with this type of individual.
Race 6 No4 OPERATION MANNA
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
The one that jumps off the page in this handicap hurdle is OPERATION MANNA. He gamely landed a Worcester bumper before finishing second in a warm novice at Sandown and regaining the winning thread at Exeter, beating a horse that has proved a rock solid yardstick. He’s hard to weigh up, but has more scope for progression than anything else in the field.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 3 No2 RELKADAM
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Nathan Moscrop
Course specialist RELKADAM is sure to have been made fitter by his comeback run at Wetherby which was also a first following a wind op. If that’s blown away the cobwebs he can give it a good shot against top weight Snowy Clouds who will be half his price.
Race 4 No1 MASKED CRUSADER
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
MASKED CRUSADER is the latest example of a novice going straight into a handicap when switched to fences, and he should make no mistake. The grey impressively took out two of his three hurdling starts last winter and has schooled beautifully at home.
Race 5 No5 IMPERIAL MERLIN
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Billy Garritty
Cartonne sets the standard for the others to aim at but with figures of 2322-2 could have a hole in him. The one that could exploit it is IMPERIAL MERLIN, who showed he has an engine when easily opening his account on a second bumper start at Sedgefield and can only improve.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 No4 GLITTERING LIGHTS
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
There have been some funny results in maidens at this track recently, but it will come as a surprise if GLITTERING LIGHTS doesn’t stamp her seal on this for Godolphin. The Kingman filly ran with credit to trouble the judge on debut at Yarmouth, and has trained well on an artificial surface at home.
Race 7 No14 SWEET FANTASY
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: John Egan
SWEET FANTASY has a habit of taking home a cheque, and there’s no reason to think she will miss out on another earner from her position at the base of the weights and from a good draw from which to brain a handy early position. On her only all-weather start here she finished second and has room for further improvement.
Race 8 No7 NOBLE ORDER
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
Many will view NOBLE ORDER as the best bet on this card, granted he is a regally-bred individual having only a fourth career start after opening his account by a wide margin here in January. Subsequent operations to geld him and fix his wind should be looked upon as positives, and he’s fit and fancied for this first run in a handicap.
Race 9 No10 CELTIC SAOIRSE
Trainer: Pat Phelan – Jockey: Paddy Bradley
Buratino filly CELTIC SAOIRSE wasn’t beaten far when a 50-1 roughie for a run here that qualified her for a mark. Her trainer produced a well backed winner here last week, and a market check is advised on this speculative advice for the nightcap.
