Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Haydock Park, Ludlow, Lingfield Park and Kempton Park on 30 November 2022.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 No1 BEAUPORT (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
BEAUPORT dodged the quicker ground at Newbury to wait for this and can show by remaining unbeaten over fences that he’s a proper force to be reckoned with. This high class handicapper over hurdles is more in his comfort zone as a chaser, and should make his assured fitness count against a couple of talented rivals that are both returning from lengthy absences.
Race 4 No2 NEMEAN LION
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
Although it was only a minor contest in which NEMEAN LION bolted up at Hereford there can be no doubt that this former inmate of Andre Fabre’s Chantilly stable is a fascinating addition to the hurdling ranks. His trainer is wasting no time bringing him out again at a higher level, but if what we saw on the outside that day is also what’s in the tin he will surely make them all go.
Race 5 No2 BLAKLION
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
BLAKLION carried over a stone less when winning this just as he liked 12 months ago, and in the process endorsing his liking for Haydock. The 13-year-old followed that up with ridiculous ease on his next start but paid such a heavy price from a handicapping perspective that he’s been in the wilderness ever since. Two outings through the autumn have yielded little sign of a renaissance, but his top connections would surely not persevere with him unless they thought he still has something to offer.
LUDLOW
Race 6 No4 LADY GLITTERS
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Ben Godfrey
As her trainer’s only runner at his local track, the consistent LADY GLITTERS needs respecting and will be a surprise if she doesn’t leave with a cheque. She was a costly flop at Hereford last time, having also been supported when runner-up on her first run of the season, and this looks a good opportunity for her to recoup the losses.
Race 7 No3 CAWTHORNE BANKER (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
CAWTHORNE BANKER was an eye taking second to Mount Bonete on his debut at Worcester early last month, keeping on well even though a trifle green. He’s the form pick in this bumper and looks to have a very good chance of going one better.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No3 BETTERMENT
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
BETTERMENT showed greatly improved form for a switch to sand, taking home a cheque at 125-1 on a first visit to Chelmsford. The Bobby’s Kitten filly has a good draw on her first run in a handicap and needs to be taken seriously.
Race 4 No3 MEXICALI ROSE
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Zoffany filly MEXICALI ROSE is one of only two fillies to have earned in this first division of the maiden. She did not go unbacked on that Newmarket introduction and having worked well on an all-weather surface at home can open her account.
Race 6 No10 BOWMAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Laura Mongan – Jockey: William Carson
Confirmed pacesetter BOWMAN has the perfect attacking draw breaking from the rail, and though sure to start amongst the roughies can outperform his price. All three of his visits to this track have seen him run well to a point, and if getting an early handle on proceedings, he could prove difficult to peg back.
Race 7 No3 AERION POWER (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Stoute has only a select number of horses for the winter all-weather programme, most of which will compete this side on the New Year. He fields a very interesting contender for the night’s feature in Kingman colt AERION POWER, who after being backed was beaten into fourth in a blanket finish at Southwell and is going to be sharper for that first outing in well over a year.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No10 SAINT COLETTE
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
SAINTE COLETTE started at 33-1 and 150-1 when showing nothing on her first two starts, but there was much more to like about her fourth placing behind Sea Gifted at Wolverhampton when she went off at 200-1. Having finished on the coat tails of the main protagonists and secured a mark, she can now show what she’s made on in this first handicap venture.
Race 5 No14 YASMINA (Nap)
Trainer: Martyn Meade – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
YASMINA is the one to be on in this first leg of the novice stakes, sporting the Stanhope Joel silks carried with distinction by Busted on the Flat and Alverton over jumps. The daughter of Iffraaj posted a midfield finish on her introduction here and can show herself to be more streetwise against Aswan and newcomer Slipofthepen.
Race 7 No12 AUSSIE BANKER
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: William Buick
AUSSIE BANKER might not have the kindest of draws, but in all other aspects looks a betting entity getting weight from each of his rivals. He has very few miles on his racing clock, and having been beaten by a progressive foe in Ring Of Light here last time can trouble the best of these.
