Neil Morrice best bets and tips – New Year UK Dark Horses

NEW YEAR DARK HORSES

GUARD DUTY trainer, Emma Lavelle

Given an exaggerated waiting ride in this competitive handicap hurdle at Windsor, GUARD DUTY signalled that he’s a winner waiting to happen. A couple of mistakes ensured he couldn’t make his charge through the pack too early, yet he made eye catching headway to challenge approaching the final flight only to find that circumstances had deigned he had just too much to do. This was a very likeable effort from the gelding, who will surely pick up a decent pot in the coming weeks.

I’M A LUMBERJACK trainer, Alan King

Late money arrived for I’M A LUMBERJACK in this two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Newbury in which the gelding traveled beautifully and appeared to have been delivered with a race winning challenge, only to tire in the final 150 yards. There’s every chance he needed this, and I shall look to him to recoup the losses with interest next time.

KIR trainer, Henry De Bromhead

Starting a 28-1 roughie for this Limerick handicap hurdle the rangy KIR travelled notable well from on the pace and looked to have things under control when jumping the last with a two lengths cushion. While he had only just come off the bridle he somehow ran out of gas to be reeled in yards before the finish. This was a big improvement on anything the lightly raced individual had produced previously, and he needs monitoring especially if heading to one of the smaller Irish tracks for his next start.

JOHNNYWHO trainer, Jonjo O’Neill

In this featured handicap chase at Ascot gave yet another indication that he’s a winner waiting to happen. The odd silly mistake didn’t help him and he had plenty still to do at the end of the back straight, but he stayed on best of all to be beaten a total of half a length in a blanket finish. His connections will no doubt be very keen for him to avenge his unlucky defeat at the Cheltenham Festival last season, but in the meantime he can surely pick up a decent prize.