Neil Morrice provides us with his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing at Lingfield Park, Musselburgh and Wolverhampton.
LINGFIELD PARK – 20/12/2021
Race 1 No6 ZUCAYAN
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Nick Slatter
ZUCAYAN made a good fist of it against a hotpot at Hereford to make it two near misses in as many starts under Rules. His stable is still firing in the winners, and he rates a worthy favourite for this although a market check is advised about newcomer Rudy Caprice.
Race 2 No7 DOYEN QUEEN
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
In three earning runs from only four starts this season DOYEN QUEEN has done things in her own time. The former dual point winner can again be competitive and take home a cheque on underfoot conditions that will suit.
Race 3 No1 COLONEL KEATING (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Rowe – Jockey: Tabitha Worsley
It’s taken COLONEL KEATING a while to get fit ahead of this belated return to his favourite course. The top weight’s burden is eased by the 5lb claim of his capable rider, and he will relish the testing surface. He was unlucky not to convert in a sequence of three near misses over fences last winter, and is worth backing to put the record straight.
MUSSELBURGH – 20/12/2021
Race 1 No5 RIVER WALK (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Having impressively taken out a Catterick bumper last month, RIVER WALK can stage a repeat on this hurdles debut by proving too classy for the more experienced Mexican Boy.
Race 2 No7 WALKONBY (Each Way)
Although failing to cut it on the Flat for her new trainer, WALKONBY could be a different kettle of fish on handicap debut over hurdles. She is a big filly that always looked the type to do better at the winter game, and might show improvement competing off a feather weight.
Race 7 No8 ROSE OF SIENA
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Representing the same trainer-jockey combination successful in this race 12 months ago, ROSE OF SIENA can uphold the promise of her debut outing at Kelso when third to the smart Donny Boy. She will be more streetwise, and very hard to beat.
WOLVERHAMPTON – 20/12/2021
Race 2 No11 PLAYDAY (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rob Hornby
PLAYDAY has the advantage of racing experience and will break from a favourable draw in this novice stakes round a circuit of the track. The daughter of Frankel upped her game on second start to trouble the judge at Lingfield, a run that should have made her cherry ripe.
Race 3 No5 LEROY BROWN
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Nicola Currie
LEROY BROWN stayed on well when second to runaway scorer Smith at Lingfield on just a second all-weather outing. He will have learned from that, and has an eye taking jockey doing the steering in this weak heat.
Bet on Horse Racing at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
