Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Ffos Las, Kempton Park and Wolverhampton on 23 January 2023.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No14 UNCLE BERT (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
UNCLE BERT looks to hold the whip hand in this novices’ hurdle as he steps up to two and a half miles following near misses in both outings over jumps over the minimum trip. He was staying on at the finish when chasing home Altobelli here before Christmas and is the clear form pick.
Race 3 No10 REGAL BLUE
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Nick Schofield
REGAL BLUE was denied an opportunity last week by the weather but has to be of interest switched here on debut for his trainer. The six-year-old was an impressive winner of his only point in Ireland and has been sourced from an outfit that have provided Jackdaw’s Castle with good horses in the past.
Race 5 No4 WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI
Trainer: Harry Fry – Jockey: Ben Bromley
At her best WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI would be the answer to this handicap hurdle and as her main rivals Equinus, Rocky Man and No Tackle have little miles on their clocks she should know too much for the pair after a rare blip, on her latest start at Kempton.
Race 7 No1 PRINCE DES FICHAUX
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Finn Lambert
After five earning starts over hurdles PRINCE DES FICHAUX is ripe to come good and open his account. The six-year-old hails from a stable whose horses are all running well, and his conditional rider is very good value for his 5lb claim.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No1 KITBAG (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
KITBAG has suffered from being badly drawn in each of his last five starts and his chances under top weight are not obvious. However, a look further back in his career sees a six-and-a-half length beating by Sakheer at Haydock which reads well in the light of the latter’s Mill Reef (Group 2) triumph. Should he enjoy the rub of the green from a slightly better draw he can give his trainer a first winner.
Race 7 No2 THE PUG
Trainer: Sylvester Kirk – Jockey: Rob Hornby
THE PUG has an awkward head carriage that cost him on his latest start at Lingfield where the gelding ran wide into the straight and then stayed on. He sports first-time blinkers today, which could work the oracle because there’s no denying he has ability.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No3 GALEXIA
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
GALEXIA is a beautifully bred filly by Galileo out of Group winning mare Illuminate. She’s not well drawn on this first career start, but if attracting support in the market is worth supporting against favourite Glittering Lights who has had a few chances.
Race 6 No4 INTO THE SPOTLIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: James Tate – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
INTO THE SPOTLIGHT hails from a yard amongst the winners and goes to post for this first handicap assignment with placed efforts in his last three of four starts. The daughter of Profitable has shaped well on the home gallops ahead of this clash with perennial bridesmaid Dubai Immo.
