Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Doncaster, Kelso and Southwell on 29 December 2022.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No1 MOON HUNTER
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
MOON HUNTER transferred the ability he’d shown on the point-to-point circuit by smoothly taking out a Wetherby novice hurdle that has worked out. Though facing strong opposition from Val Dancer and Hands Off he can defy a penalty and looks the type to do well through the winter.
Race 2 No6 MORIKO DE VASSY (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Symonds – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
MORIKO DE VASSY put in an extraordinary effort in defeat on his chase debut at Wetherby when making a number of errors but rallying to get close to the winner Notlongtilmay. While this race is tougher, he’s very well regarded by his trainer, and can underline the point by notching a third victory on Town Moor and remaining unbeaten there.
Race 4 No4 WALKING ON AIR
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
WALKING ON AIR needs to cast off his ‘talking horse’ tag, but as the least exposed runner in this three miler he has a perfect opportunity to achieve it. The five-year-old ran well to trouble the judge on his handicap debut at Aintree and looks as though he will relish this half mile longer trip at a course where his trainer excels.
Race 5 No8 STORM CONTROL (Each Way)
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
STORM CONTROL is carded to start as one of the roughies in this good betting heat but should not be underestimated granted his liking for the track. The nine-year-old only lost out in last year’s Sky Bet Chase because he became lonely after hitting the front too soon and ran better than his placing suggests when finishing in mid division over an inadequate trip in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He’s capable of getting some of these off the bridle, and despite respecting top weight Gesskille and well sighted Boldmere, should take away a decent sized cheque.
KELSO
Race 3 No5 FRANIGANE
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
FRANIGANE was a late defector from his intended comeback race at Chepstow but should find these extremely testing conditions just what the doctor ordered. The chestnut ran well in each of his four starts for his trainer, including a novice hurdle win in soft ground at Wetherby. He been well tutored for this switch to fences and will be fit enough in spite of having a 651-day absence to contend with.
Race 4 No10 OLD PAINLESS
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
The same trainer/jockey combo can take out this novices’ limited handicap chase with OLD PAINLESS. The selection is in a much hotter race than for his bloodless triumph at Plumpton, but that was his first start over regulation fences, and there could easily a lot more in the tank.
Race 5 No1 IMPERIAL MERLIN (Nap)
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Billy Garritty
With the odd exception the Skelton horses haven’t fired over the holiday and with that in mind it could be worth siding with IMPERIAL MERLIN. The Kalanisi gelding hasn’t put a foot wrong with smooth successes in three of his four career starts. His hurdles successes at Catterick and Newcastle were gained with contemptuous ease, and he looks well worth sticking with until beaten.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No1 ZEALOT (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
ZEALOT attempts to defy a double penalty but with Buick back in the hot seat after guiding him to a wide margin success at Kempton it’s very hard to get away from the favourite. Cheek pieces appear to have made the gelding more resilient and providing he can sit handy from his draw on the rail the four-year-old should complete a fine hat-trick.
Race 2 No1 SOUTHWOLD
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Tom Eaves
SOUTHWOLD impressed when delivering on his debut at Newcastle and is worth backing to follow-up against the frustrating Dubai Immo. The selection could have more to fear from his barnmate Glam Puss, who herself ran well on debut and will appreciate stretching out over a longer trip.
Race 3 No1 EVENING STORY
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Luke Morris
Another stepping up in trip, and from the same stable, EVENING STORY needs to overcome a tricky draw on the outer, but if doing so should prove hard to beat.the New Bay filly has earned on two of her three starts and can do better now going down the handicap route.
Race 7 No1 EAST STREET REVUE
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
EAST STREET REVUE looked like a horse about to come out of racing’s wilderness when troubling the judge on his latest outing at this course last week. Beaten only a length and a half by Blazing Hot, he was having only a second run on sand in well over a year, and having dropped to a favourable mark needs supporting.
