Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Wincanton, Huntingdon, Sedgefield and Wolverhanpton on 12 January 2024.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No4 PILSDON PEN
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Rex Dingle
Front-running Bourbali will ensure this is run at a true pace and that could play into the hands of PILSDON PEN. The seven-year-old has jumped well in each of his three outings over fences, finishing third when in need of the run at Warwick, coming from last to first to score at this course and latterly chasing home Harjo here before Christmas. While any of the five starters can win, PILSDON PEN is the one most likely to be putting in his best work at the finish.
Race 5 No1 BALLYWALTER (Each Way)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Brendan Powell
When Knight embarked on her training career in the late eighties she scored with her first runner, The Grey Gunner, at Bangor. A lot of water has flown under the bridge of her Lockinge stables subsequently, including three Gold Cup triumphs with Best Mate. Now in her late seventies, Knight returns with a new team and BALLYWALTER is certainly worth a market check. The winning Irish pointer has untapped potential, and while his future is as a chaser he could make this an earning first run under Rules.
Race 6 No14 CALL THE DANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: James Bowen
The one that jumps off the page in this maiden hurdle is CALL THE DANCE. The Kayf Tara mare has run well in all three outings for Henderson and as a winner waiting to happen needs to be taken seriously.
HUNTINGDON
Race 2 No2 COCO MADEMOISELLE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
The Skeltons have by their high standards been quiet, though COCO MADEMOISELLE proved a convincing winner for the trainer-jockey combo at Lingfield back in late November. It was the mare’s second success in only three outings since arriving from Ireland, and she could have a lot more to give.
Race 4 No6 WHISPERING ROYAL (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
French import Karbala Du Mathan should command a big amount of the betting handle on this trial for the Triumph Hurdle, but preference is for WHISPERING ROYAL who has taken very well to hurdling in two attempts. Though no match for Liari at Wincanton, he made no mistake when flooring Kado De Joie at Doncaster and is developing into a likely type for a Festival race that doesn’t take as much winning as it used to do.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 2 No5 EYED (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Webber is an infrequent visitor to this course and his runners are therefore worthy of close inspection. EYED failed to justify market support when fourth at Leicester on Wednesday but now finds himself in a stronger race, but with the North’s leading rider on his back. He’s lightly raced over fences, and on a tight track that should suit his style of racing he can earn.
Race 3 No9 COUP DE GOLD (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Peter Kavanagh
Little COUP DE GOLD would be a deserving winner of this handicap hurdle. He’s knocked on the door in successive races here this season. He’s only once finished out of the money in nine visits to this track, and on the balance of form and statistics will win or finish in the money today.
Race 4 No6 EURKASH (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
If Webber is to have a winner then EURKASH is perhaps his best chance. The ten-year-old has produced his best form on an easy track and seems happier going left-handed. His forcing style should carry him into the money on a first visit here, but it’s also his best winning opportunity of the season.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 4 No5 BETTER
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
BETTER is hopefully a well-named pick in this Class 5 event and looks to have plenty going for him despite feeling the wrath of the assessor with a double-figure rise for a course and distance triumph last month. There’s few miles on his racing clock, with surely more to come.
Race 7 No8 CEPHALUS (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Tom Queally
A first-time visor can assist CEPHALUS in regaining the winning thread. The five-year-old landed a gamble at Lingfield before being denied in the last few strides at Southwell. He’s operating effectively within his comfort zone, and from his place at the foot of the weights is napped.
