Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Doncaster and Cheltenham on 28 January 2023.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No6 GALAHAD THREEPWOOD
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
A return to this trip can work the oracle for GALAHAD THREEPWOOD. The former smart stayer on the Flat has posted a couple of pleasing runs that should have teed him up nicely to notch an overdue first success over jumps.
Race 3 MND Association RaceFor Research Lightning Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
No1 BOOTHILL (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Fry – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
BOOTHILL has looked a class act since switching to fences, his only defeat coming at the hooves of the ultra smart Jonbon at Sandown. The eight-year-old has to shoulder a double penalty, but can prove too strong for the progressives Tommy’s Oscar.
Race 5 Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
No3 IDALKO BIHOUE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Well thought of at Grange Farm, IDALKO BIHOUE can stage an earning run in this competitive affair. A wide margin winner of a Worcester bumper, he can pay a compliment to HermesAllen who made a hack of him in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury. In a race where it’s hard to dismiss a single runner, he represents a value option against Stay Away Fay and Maximilian.
Race 6 SKY BET HANDICAP CHASE
No10 SHANTY ALLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
SHANTY ALLEY should relish this course with its long straight which is not dissimilar to Newbury where he valiantly failed to hold his foes at bay in the Mandarin Chase. The none-year-old has looked an improved performer since undergoing wind surgery, and when getting a handle on the lead can be hard to catch.the strong travelling Demachine is one that could give him problems while Mister Coffey has a big race in him and also needs to be taken seriously.
CHELTENHAM
Race 1 JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)
No3 SCRIPTWRITER
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
SCRIPTWRITER has looked a natural for hurdling from day 1 and after a cosy success on the all-weather can remain unbeaten and complete a fine hat-trick. The Churchill gelding was impressive when scoring over this course and distance in November and can show he’s a prize asset to his resurgent connections.
Race 3 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
No1 DELTA WORK (Nap)
Trainer: Gordon Elliott – Jockey: Mr R James
DELTA WORK was still near the peak of his powers when Elliott sent him down the cross-country route and as the reigning champion in this field, he should take plenty of beating. It’s hard to find an up-and-coming horse amongst the opposition that might trouble him, and a win should tee him up nicely for a return here at the Festival.
Race 4 ALBERT BARTLETT CLARENCE HOUSE CHASE (Grade 1)
No3 EDWARDSTONE
Trainer Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
Irish raider Energumene is carded to go off at odds-on for this rescheduled feature but in spite of the Champion Chase hero’s very strong claims he might be made to fight for the spoils by EDWARDSTONE. The latter was a hugely impressive winner of the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown before taking an uncharacteristic tumble in the Desert Orchid at Kempton. The prospect of this pair coming down the hill in combat is one to savour, and Hopefully Edwardstone’s turn of foot can prove an ace card up the final hill.
Race 7 DAHLBURY Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)
No4 DASHEL DRASHER
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Rex Dingle
DASHEL DRASHER is making a fine job of combining hurdling with chasing, as demonstrated by his sterling effort in the Relkeel Hurdle here on New Year’s Day. His forcing tactics and accurate jumping are a joy to watch, and can combine to put this smart field to the sword.
