Neil Morrice has a look at a few UK horses who could impress in the coming weeks including MASTER CHEWY, ED KEEPER and more!
MASTER CHEWY Lingfield Park, January 21st
Confirmed pace setter Matata was carded to make this a real test only to almost bring down his stablemate MASTER CHEWY at the first fence. The incident relegated the latter to last and for a couple more fences impaired his confidence. It was always going to be difficult for Master Chewy to get into the race, though he did make limited progress to lose out in a photo for third. A line is immediately drawn through the performance, and he remains a horse to have on your radar for Cheltenham, with the Grand Annual Challenge Cup an obvious target.
IWILLDOIT Lingfield Park, January 21st
IWILLDOIT put up a good show in the featured Fleur De Lys Chase considering the trip was well short of his best. The former Welsh National winner was always going to struggle against Gold Cup hopefuls L’Homme Presse and Protektorat, and while that pair fought out their own private battle, he stayed on for a minor cheque to confirm his well-being. Granted plenty of cut in the ground there is surely another big staying handicap chase in him.
VINCENZO Warwick, January 13th
VINCENZO was up against a very well-regarded foe in Diamond Ri, and although unable to match the latter at the business end, did well to mount a challenge turning for home after being hampered at a vital stage at the end of the back straight. Hailing from a yard choc full of smart novices, he should make no mistake in a novice or maiden hurdle at one of the smaller tracks.
MR FREEDOM Taunton, January 8th
Former useful juvenile hurdler MR FREEDOM has knocked on the door in successive races and is a winner waiting to happen. There have been elements of bad luck in his defeats at Fontwell, Sandown and this course, but once he enjoys the rub of the green that can change. He was good enough to run into the money in the Boodles (juvenile handicap hurdle) at the Cheltenham Festival, and will soon set the record straight.
ED KEEPER Cheltenham, January 1st
If Sam Thomas has a Graded hurdler in his stable then it is ED KEEPER. He looked to have all the bases covered in this Class 2 handicap approaching the final flight, only to fail to pick up and lose his undercarriage which scuppered his winning chance. He’s a good horse that can soon gain consolation and is one to follow.
