Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday's racing coming your way from Ascot, Haydock Park, Huntingdon and Wolverhampton on 19 November 2022.
Check out Neil's video preview for Saturday's racing at Haydock and Ascot below:
ASCOT
Race 1 No3 SCARFACE (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Tom Cannon
Highly tried over hurdles last season, the giant SCARFACE has his tail up following a bloodless comeback success at Plumpton. This fine chasing prospect should make short work of his rivals on the way to better things.
Race 4 Chantelle Pharma 1965 Chase (Grade 2)
No1 SAINT CALVADOS
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Mr David Maxwell
With L’Homme Presse in the field there’s scope for obtaining some value and SAINT CALVADOS can provide it. Now owned by David Maxwell, he’s probably the best horse that fine Corninthian has ever purchased, and looking back on his third in last season’s King George and concluding success in the Oaksey Chase at Sandown is no slouch. Already proven at this level, he will be on hand to cash in should the favourite have an off day.
Race 6 No1 EDWARDSTONE
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
EDWARDSTONE skipped last week’s Schloer Chase owing to the easy conditions that prevailed for that Cheltenham contest, but should find underfoot conditions to his liking on his seasonal return. The Arkle Chase winner has to concede upwards of 10lb to his rivals, but barring accidents can outclass them on the way to a crack at the Queen Mother Champion Chase further down the road.
One that could run into the money at a big price is BEFORE MIDNIGHT, who is worth a saver, and inclusion in swingers and exotics with the favourite.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 5 No6 GOOD RISK AT ALL (Nap)
Trainer: San Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The one that could have made abnormal progression since last season is GOOD RISK AT ALL, whose stable has made an encouraging start to the current campaign and who impressed on his return to action at Carlisle when with the help of a first time tongue tie hammered Wholestone (who reopposes) to come up the final hill unchallenged. There are other novices in the field such as MIGHT I and COMPLETE UNKNOWN that could also have improved, but the selection has been in great form at home, and should give his supporters a big run for their money.
Race 6 BETFAIR CHASE (Grade 1)
No1 A PLUS TARD
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead – Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Last year’s winner and subsequent Gold Cup hero A PLUS TARD is impossible to oppose in the day’s feature. He doesn’t appear to have any flaws that could hinder him on this seasonal return, and has the clear beating of Protektorat. BRISTOL DE MAI is therefore the one that could chase him home, given his liking for this race (which he has won 3 times), and his ability to run to his best when fresh from a break.
Race 7 No11 HOUSTON TEXAS
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
HOUSTON TEXAS is enjoying a journey along an upward curve but is still at the right end of the weights to make a big impact in this long distance handicap chase. Chasing a fourth success on the bounce, the eight-year-old can take the spoils at the main expense of triple course winner LORD DE MESNIL and the ultra consistent MUSICAL SLAVE.
HUNTINGDON
Race 5 No4 KILFILUM WOODS (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: James Bowen
A switch to fences can bring about a first success under Rules for KILFILUM WOODS who needed his comeback outing in a Plumpton novice hurdle but has shown an aptitude for jumping fences at home. His trainer is going through a quiet spell, but this lightly-raced individual can stem the tide.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No2 EAGLE COURT (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey: Taylor Fisher
EAGLE COURT has managed just one success this year, but was compromised by the poor form of his stable in the spring. Since scoring at this track in August he’s put in some solid efforts in better company, and is now getting 7lb taken off his back which should help him get into the shake-up.
Race 3 No7 YOSHIMI
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
While far from being straightforward, YOSHIMI put it all together to score at Chelmsford for which he was raised just 1lb. Slightly off putting is his draw on the outer, but if circumnavigating that he could well follow-up.
Race 6 No4 GLORIOUS LION (Nap)
Trainer: James Ferguson – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
GLORIOUS LION attracted support and travelled well for a long way on debut at Newmarket from which he’s going to be a lot more streetwise. He appeals to me as one of the best bets of the day, though my investment will be reduced owing to his outside draw, from which he will need everything to go right.
Race 8 No3 EBURY (Each Way)
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: Phil Dennis
EBURY hasn’t had much to shout about this season, and it’s more than three years since his only career success. That said, he possesses scope for improvement stepped up in trip on this Tapeta surface, and wasn’t beaten far on his latest start over seven furlongs here. Granted luck in running he can get into the shake-up.
