Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming to you from Newbury, Doncaster and Ffos Las on 25 November 2022.
NEWBURY
Race 1 No9 JET POWERED
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Henderson can add to his good record in this with JET POWERED, who cost a king’s ransom when joining Seven Barrows out of the Irish point-to-point circuit. The Jet Away gelding has no shortage of ability judging from what he’s shown at home but will need to be on his A-game to repel Call The Dawn, who has the advantage of a recent run under his belt.
Race 2 No4 AUCUNRISQUE
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
AUCUNRISQUE made a pleasing debut over fences when scoring at Uttoxeter but was prevented by unsuitable ground from having another race ahead of this. In what is probably the best novice chase run this season he can spring a minor surprise. He’s a very slick jumper and can use that attribute to thwart Soaring Glory and Frere D’Armes.
Race 4 No1 BEAUPORT (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Rivalling the previous race as the best novice chase run this season, this two-and-a-half miler can fall to BEAUPORT, who like Aucunrisque made the perfect start to his career over fences when scoring at Carlisle. He displayed battling qualities to resist Millers Bank in that Listed contest and endorsed the promise of his hurdling career, in which he failed to make the cut for his chosen race at Cheltenham before finishing fourth in a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree. He will need to be as good as his trainer thinks he is in order to trump the impressive Warwick scorer Stage Star, but he can.
Race 6 Coral Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2)
No3 PROSCHEMA
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
All eyes will be on Champ as he reappears at his local course but the mercurial ten-year-old isn’t getting any younger and may be vulnerable to PROSCHEMA, who could hardly have been more impressive in taking out a Grade 2 contest at Wetherby. The chestnut quickened clear when coming off the bridle to leave his underwhelming return at Chepstow light years behind. Champ is having a first hurdles run at this track and in his favour is that he won first time out last season. Placed at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, he has to be feared.
DONCASTER
Race 4 No1 MACKENBURG (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Theo Gillard
MACKENBURG proved to be a real springbok when sent chasing last season, only having his winning spree halted when returned to hurdles at Aintree. He resumed his chasing career with a gutsy success at Ayr and by defying top weight in this two and a half miler can preserve his unbeaten record over fences.
Race 7 No3 CORNICELLO
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
CORNICELLO skipped a good opportunity earlier in the week to seek the better ground that usually prevails on Town Moor. The dual recent scorer has risen in the weights but may still have more to offer with a new jockey in the irons.
FFOS LAS
Race 1 No5 INEDIT STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
INEDIT STAR looks a very interesting addition to the ranks at George’s Gloucestershire stable, having won and been placed on the Flat in the French provinces. The grey is sure to have been well tutored for this first run under Rules, and should make a winning start for connections.
Race 3 No7 INFLEXIBLE
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
INFLEXIBLE is a pea out of the same pod as Inedit Star as he was sourced out of a top yard in France for whom he’d shown promise in a hurdle and a chase. He’s bred to enjoy the testing conditions that are certain to prevail here, and should prove hard to beat.
Race 5 No2 FRANCO D’AUNOU
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
This stable needs to be followed in the build up to Christmas, as its horses usually peak at that time and into the new year. Williams has sent out a handful of winners in the past fortnight, and FRANCO D’AUNOU can add to her tally by taking out this long-distance handicap hurdle. The selection ran a cracker when second on his reappearance at Fontwell, and will be sharper for that.
Race 6 No7 KESTREL VALLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Matt Sheppard – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
KESTREL VALLEY went off faster than ideal on her return to action at Hereford, where she jumped well before blowing up. The run should have done her the world of good, and she should improve to make a frame finish at the very least.
