Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Exter, and Newcastle on 8 November 2024.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 5 No2 SAFE DESTINATION
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies- Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The best bets are deep into this card, and from the same stable. SAFE DESTINATION made the perfect start to the campaign with a clear cut delivery at Market Rasen, and though 5lb higher in the weights should fine that a not insurmountable task.
Race 6 No1 MAVIS PIKE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
There’s not much of MAVIS PIKE which asks a question of her successfully carrying 12st 5lb in this novices’ limited handicap hurdle. That said, she did us a favour with her Fakenham win last week, and should find this similarly easy track to her liking.
EXETER
Race 2 No2 WELLINGTON ARCH (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Sorceleur ran well on his reappearance here but faces an equally smart prospect in WELLINGTON ARCH. The last named horse wasn’t able to build on his debut success in a Worcester bumper but in three subsequent outings was highly tried. He’s taken well to hurdles at home, and can come out best in what us sure to be a tactically-run affair.
Race 3 No3 DEAFENING SILENCE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
Captain Teague was the highest rated of the three runners in this Class2 novices’ chase as a hurdler, but if the race boils down to a sprint DEAFENING SILENCE might prove too hot to handle. The selection was last seen winning a Sandown Grade 2 a year ago. He will befit following his enforced absence and can continue from where he left off.
Race 4 BET MGM a HALDON GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE (Grade 2)
No1 JPR ONE (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
JPR ONE returns in this course’s marquee race following wind surgery and equipped with a tongue tie. A Grade 2 scorer at Lingfield last season, he found the Arkle a bridge too far, but remains a leading prospect to the top two mile chases, while he’s worked and schooled well in preparation for this.
Race 5 No2 BRENDAS ASKING
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Ask mare BRENDAS ASKING looked to have turned a corner with her convincing success at Ludlow. She’s gone up 7lb, but with her stable finding some form it would be no surprise to see her serve up an action replay,
Race 6 No2 TIGHTENOURBELTS (Each Way)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
TIGHTENOURBELTS gets the vote in his return to fences in a very interesting handicap chase. His attention was turned to the smaller pbstacles following an ambitious novice chase campaign but this is a chaser through and through, who if getting his act together can show himself fairly handicapped, and one to follow in staying races through the winter.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No1 WALSINGHAM
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Ben Robinson
WALSINGHAM has troubled the judge in all three starts since joining his trainer. On a twelfth career start this is his first run on the all-weather, but a change of surface could bring about an improved run, in spite of his hefty burden.
Race 8 No4 MARTIN’S BRIG
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
MARTIN’S BRIG has notched his last two successes at this course to make 2024 his best season. He’s back off a freshening break and needs to be taken seriously as a bet worth waiting for.
