Neil Morrice shares his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Ffos Las, Ayr, Lingfield Park and Southwell on 22 December 2022.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No1 ALTOBELLI
Trainer: Harry Fry – Jockey: Bryan Carver
ALTOBELLI returns from exactly 300 days off having been well tutored for this first run over jumps. He was an impressive winner of his only start in an Exeter bumper and following subsequent wind surgery is ready to put down a marker in this new discipline.
Race 3 No3 BOWTOGREATNESS (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling- Jockey: Kielan Woods
An absolute natural jumper who is a joy to watch, BOWTOGREATNESS was inch perfect on chase debut at Exeter, rallying when headed to be beaten in a close photo. The six-year-old finds himself in a stronger contest, but with a victory can hand owner Harry Redknapp a timely Christmas present. He’s an exciting prospect, and one to stay on the right side of.
Race 4 No1 THE EDGAR WALLACE (Each Way)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
From a stable that has sent out a handicap chase winner this week, THE EDGAR WALLACE will be fitter than for his comeback outing at Kempton where he got tired but still ran with credit to chase home Dorking Lad. The seven-year-old has looked an improved performer since having a wind op last spring, and despite his welter burden can give his rivals plenty to think about.
Race 7 No2 COLONIAL EMPIRE
Trainer: Tim Vaughan – Jockey: Alan Johns
From a stable that has quietly ticked off the winners, COLONIAL EMPIRE jumps off the page as an in-form improver that should take plenty of beating. After a near miss here and at Uttoxeter he made no mistake at Leicester and should be hard to stop off his revised mark.
AYR
Race 3 No6 IVAR
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
IVAR to beat Ruby Island is the way this maiden hurdle should play out. The selection ran a cracker when returning from a year off to finish second in what looked a decent race at Bangor. He’s been made more mentally focussed for that eye taking effort and looks to have been found a good opportunity.
Race 5 No2 STEP ABOVE (Nap)
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Derek Fox
STEP ABOVE won many friends through the way he delivered on a first outing under Rules over this course and distance last month. He’s opposed by a couple of peas out of the same pod in Are UnWise To That and Choosethenews, but is strongly fancied to follow-up as the best bet on this card.
Race 6 No9 HITMAN FRED (Each Way)
Trainer: Rose Dobbin – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
HITMAN FRED faces up to some in form rivals in this ultra competitive three-mile handicap chase. It’s a tougher task than he faced when reappearing at Kelso, where he ran a blunder before blowing up between the last two fences. He’s straighter for that needed experience and getting weight from each of his foes needs respecting.
Race 7 No4 ARDERA CROSS (Each Way)
Trainer: William Young Jnr – Jockey: Sam Coltherd
ARDERA CROSS is a fully exposed veteran, but his knowledge of this track can prove a key card in an interesting nightcap. This super jumper gave it his all only to be gunned down late by Lisloran here at the end of last month. It was around this time last year that he struck form with back-to-back successes at the course, and another big run is on the cards.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No7 GARRICK STREET
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
With nothing jumping out from those that have already run, a market check is advised on Zoffany colt GARRICK STREET whose trainer does well with this type of individual. The selection has a good draw in the middle of the gate, and if avoiding greenness can surprise the heavily experienced New Definition.
Race 4 No5 MUIR WOOD (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Franny Norton
MUIR WOOD caught the eye when taking home a minor cheque here on his second start and on all-weather debut last month. The outing should have fine turned him for a bigger payday, and he looks sure to be competitive from a favourable draw on this long journey from North Yorkshire.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No12 CHANNEL PACKET
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Theodore Ladd
CHANNEL PACKET has been ridden in the majority of his races by Ladd, who guided him to a deserved victory at Chelmsford last month. Off a short break, and getting plenty of weight from their opponents, the combination are in a good place to consolidate with another big earning run.
Race 6 No11 ZEALOT (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
ZEALOT landed a big gamble by a wide margin at Kempton on Monday, and there’s no surprise his connections want to go again under a penalty. The lightly-raced gelding can end the winning sequence of hat-trick seeker Ron O, though a good break from the stalls is essential to the Nap’s chances, which makes taking a short price more risky.
Race 8 No4 BIRD FOR LIFE
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Tyler Heard
Delegator mare BIRD FOR LIFE has proved a flagship performer in her trainer’s colours with three successes from her last four outings. All three were achieved with useful apprentice Heard in the hot seat, and the combination can go in again on a first visit to this track since March.
