Neil Morrice shares his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Ludlow, Plumpton, Southwell and Newcastle on 20 December 2022
LUDLOW
Race 1 No9 BALLYCAMUS
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Miss A Jackson-Fennell
BALLYCAMUS put in a 100% earning season by taking home a cheque on each of his five outings for his trainer after joining him from the Irish point-to-point circuit. Fresh off a seven-month absence, he is partnered by an inexperienced amateur, but all things considered looks a worthy favourite, and can take care of business.
Race 3 No2 BACK ON THE LASH
Trainer: Martin Keighley – Jockey: Harry Skelton
BACK ON THE LASH does most of his racing round the Cheltenham cross-country course these days and is regarded as one of the best in the business in that division. He gets the chance here to show he can still cut the mustard on a regulation course and should be too strong for Bobhopeornohope.
Race 4 No2 TOUCHY FEELY (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
TOUCKY FEELY made a smooth transition to hurdling with a cosy Doncaster triumph last month. The daughter of recently deceased Kayf Tara looks the way to go and can follow-up in this big field of distaffers.
Race 6 No4 THE WIDDOW MAKER
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brandon Powell
THE WIDDOW MAKER can put his slick jumping to good use in this competitive handicap chase and open his account for the season. He looked like a horse getting ready to peak when chasing home Paint The Dream in a better race than this at Newbury and should get a nice tow into the race from the veteran Bun Doran.
Race 7 No3 WESTERN ZEPHYR
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
This is a decent race with which to conclude proceedings to a meeting that has helped stop the rot of abandonments. There are some note testing horses on view, and whilevrespect is afforded to both Pembroke and Gaye Legacy, WESTERN ZEPHYR can trump them. He looked better the further he travelled when scoring at Hereford and should relish a big step in trip here.
PLUMPTON
Race 1 No10 TEA AND CHATS
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
TEA AND CHATS made an auspicious debut for his trainer when narrowly denied by Northern Poet at this course last month. The former Irish-trained gelding is fancied to consolidate and open his account in what is admittedly a very open heat.
Race 2 No5 WALK IN THE WILD (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Jamie Moore
It’s hard to get away from WALK IN THE WILD who should complete a hat-trick after switching from the cancellation of Lingfield on Monday. This looks a more straightforward assignment for the lightly raced six-year-old, who can deliver off his revised mark.
Race 4 No3 DIAMOND EGG
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
DIAMOND EGG contested three decent bumpers in his first season’s racing, opening his account when last seen at Huntingdon back in May. Owned by a syndicate fronted by Henrietta Knight, he’s been well tutored for this switch to hurdles and should be very competitive.
Race 5 No8 PILSDON PEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Rex Dingle
Baddesley impressed in winning here last time and is greatly respected for a yard with several good chances on the day, but PILSDON PEN managed to score without damaging his mark at Exeter and could prove a better value option in a race where it’s hard to put a line through any of the ten runners.
Race 6 No6 POLDARK CROSS
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
POLDARK CROSS has undergone intensive schooling since falling on his seasonal reappearance at Ffos Las. We haven’t seen the best of the former winning Irish pointer, who can spoil Ozzie Man’s attempt to complete a hat-trick.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No1 TWILIGHT MADNESS (Nap)
Trainer: Steve Hodgson – Jockey: Jason Hart
TWILIGHT MADNESS landed a poignant victory in the colours of recently deceased trainer Peter Hedger at this course last week and is in a good place to shrug aside a 5lb penalty for the success and complete a fine hat-trick. He can achieve that at the main expense of Never Dark and Jeans Maite.
Race 6 No14 RECLAIM VICTORY
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: George Wood
RECLAIM VICTORY rarely fails to visit the podium and can make full use of the 15lbs she receives from Lord Paramount in this race round almost a lap of the track. The selection has her chin up after gamely delivering over this course and distance earlier in the month.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No1 BREWING (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Adam Farragher
BREWING is the nicest horse on view on a tricky card to call and can reward professional backing by completing a hat-trick for top connections. He’s delivered with something in hand in those races at this course and Kempton, and in so doing forged a good understanding with his apprentice rider.
