Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Cheltenham, Doncaster, Bangor-On-Dee, and Southwell on 13 December 2024.
CHELTENHAM
Race 1 No2 PALACIO
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
PALACIO will start as the outsider in a hot opener to the December meeting but it might be a mistake to rule him out. He gained a runaway triumph when making his reappearance and first run over hurdles at Chepstow, form which has been franked by the runner-up French Ship. He’s done well subsequently, and gets my speculative vote.
Race 3 No1 VALGRAND
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
The Skeltons are mustard in their ability to pick off the big handicap hurdles and in VALGRAND they have a likely type for this two miler. The selection includes a Grade 2 novice hurdle here in the autumn amongst his tally, though I shall invest in a saver at a much bigger price on SPIRITS BAY, who has missed no fewer than three opportunities to return to action and can go well in this as long as he’s not too keen.
Race 5 No3 SHAKEM UP’ARRY (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
Jones clicked with SHAKEM UP’ARRY both at the January meeting and the Festival here in March and the combination can make a bold fist of adding this race to their tally. Since the jockey began his association with my selection the only two occasions they underwhelmed were in the Coral Trophy at Newbury and the Grand National, both of which stretched his stamina.
But in The Plate over this two and a half miles the Harry Redknapp-owned ten-year-old jumped brilliantly to record a famous win, and reports from Naunton suggest he’s as fit as he needs to be for his seasonal return.
Race 6 No12 MISTER COFFEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
MISTER COFFEY is a long-standing maiden over fences but following his very good run when second at the Paddy Power meeting last month is in a position to end that annoying sequence. He’s one of those mercurial characters that tend to look after themselves, and should be in the thick of things at the end of this cross-country race, with French challenger ICEO MADRIK the one I fear most.
Race 7 No1 GOWEL ROAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
GOWEL ROAD has paid the price for his consistency and is done no favours by the handicapper, but this is a race he can win. He trailed Doyen Quest by five lengths when they met here last month but his rival is now 10lb higher, meaning that theoretically he should take his revenge.
DONCASTER
Race 3 No2 WINDSURFER
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
WINDSURFER was an authoratitive scorer at Uttoxeter only to look a shade out of his depth in the hot Chepstow heat won by The Winslow Boy. Having claimed only a minor cheque that day, he needs to bounce back, but this looks a more suitable assignment and he will greatly enjoy racing on this flatter track.
Race 5 No5 NICKELFORCE (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Harry Bannister
NICKELFORCE took to fences like a duck to water and was chasing down a hat-trick when caught out by an obstacle at Leicester. He hadn’t been asked a question at the time, is none the worse for the spill and has the progression in him to gain handsome compensation.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 4 No5 KEVIN’S PRIDE (Nap)
Trainer: John McConnell – Jockey: Brian Hayes
KEVIN’S PRIDE dotted up in his only point before making Abourdamntime pull out all the stops on his debut under Rules at Carlisle. The five-year-old should be wiser for that excellent run, and looks poised to go one better as the best bet on this card.
Race 5 No5 THANKSFORTHEHELP
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
THANKSFORTHEHELP is definitely worth a market check in this long distance handicap hurdle, having run better than his placing indicates when fourth behind Doyen Quest at Cheltenham. This is his preferred of two options, and if lining up he should prove hard to beat.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No4 SOUTH KENSINGTON (Each Way)
Trainer: Martin Dunne – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
Although she is carded to go off at a huge price, SOUTH KENSINGTON could outperform it on her first run for a new trainer. After showing initial promise her form deteriorated this year, but she’s been freshened up in new surroundings ahead of what is probably a make or break assignment.
Race 4 No2 HEATHEN (Nap)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Jason Watson
HEATHEN came back from a break to score with a deal of authority here last month in the same manner as when successful on his 2023 comeback at the same track. As long as he doesn’t suffer from the bounce factor the five-year-old can follow-up.
