Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Cheltenham , Doncaster , Lingfield Park, Newcastle and Wolverhampton on 13 December 2025.
CHELTENHAM
Race 2 No1 THE JUKEBOX KID (Nap)
Trainer; Ben Pauling – Jockey: David Bass
While I wouldn’t totally rule out an improved display from Hillcrest, he will do well to halt the progress of THE JUKEBOX KID who was hugely impressive on chase debut at Carlisle. The progressive six-year-old has the world at his feet, and is with the right trainer to cut it at the top level this season.
Race 4 No7 VINCENZO (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
The featured December Gold Cup offers up a good betting contest in which VINCENZO can prosper. He did little wrong when finding only one to beat him in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last month where he stayed on well after hitting a flat spot at the top of the hill. His main barrier to success is probably JAGWAR, who was an impressive winner at the Festival back in March and though 7lb higher has a good chance of adding to that Plate triumph. COLONEL HARRY demonstrated a liking for the Grand National fences in the Grand Sefton Chase. He was a Grade 2 scorer over fences last season, and though now 4lb higher for his Aintree win, remains favourably treated. Joseph O’Brien fields a proper contender in KIM ROQUE, who on debut for his handler threw it away with a silly mistake at the last in a novices’ limited handicap chase here last month. This former French-based runner looks a danger to all.
Prediction: 1st VINCENZO, 2nd Jagwar, 3rd Kim Roque, 4th Colonel Harry
Race 5 No1 JPR ONE
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Tizzard can do well in this with his contenders TRIPLE TRADE and JPR ONE. Triple Trade returned to winning form last time and has to be respected now back to his old level of form but the classy JPR ONE is just preferred. The top weight has contested better races than this, and signalled with earning runs at Exeter and Ascot that he’s as good as ever. He’s a strong traveller who jumps well, and appears to be Powell’s choice over his stablemate.
Race 6 ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 2)
No1 CONMAN JOHN
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Derek Fox
Northern raider CONMAN JOHN represents a team that do well with their runners here. His quest to remain unbeaten over jumps looks achievable granted how his three miles success on a different track here has been endorsed. He’s a classy operator, and can show his long journey from Scotland isn’t just for the goodness of his health.
DONCASTER
Race 3 No4 RUMOURSAREFLYING (Nap)
Trainer: Pam Sly – Jockey: Jack Andrews
Although a rather fortuitous winner on his latest start at Huntingdon, RUMOURSAREFLYING can consolidate by taking out this tougher affair. He needs to get past the unexposed Spadestep, but with his tail up can add to his trainer’s good record with her jumpers on the Town Moor.
Race 4 No2 STRATTON OAKMONT
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Jack Tudor
Aided by a breathing operation, STRATTON OAKMONT made a winning return at Exeter where he was well in command at the finish. He gets three miles well, and as long as he doesn’t experience the bounce factor, can follow-up.
Race 5 No5 ERNE RIVER (Each Way)
Trainer: Nick Kent – Jockey: Charlie Hammond
Veteran ERNE RIVER is carded to start the outsider in the seven horse field but might be worth a speculative interest. As long as the ground is not too soft, which is rarely the case here, he can demonstrate his liking for the track by getting into the shake-up.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No1 HANSARD (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Caoilin Quinn
This should be straightforward for HANSARD who ran better than his placing suggests on chase debut at Kempton. He jumped well, only to meet some interference which effectively ended his hopes, but now dropped in class he can deliver on the way to better things.
Race 3 No5 PRECIOUS METAL
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: JJ Slevin
Slevin is an eye taking booking for PRECIOUS METAL, a former Listed bumper winner who has finished second on both starts over hurdles. The easy conditions will make this two miler much more of a test, which should play the his strengths.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No8 TIRIAC
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Barry McHugh
TIRIAC can upset three last time out winners in this 1000 metres sprint. His belated first run on sand brought him success here, and though beaten into third last time he remains well handicapped.
Race 5 No3 POCKLINGTON (Nap)
Trainer: Geoff Oldroyd – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Storm Star will take out a good chunk of the betting handle on the featured Class2 but he might have to play second fiddle to POCKLINGTON. The son of Blue Point looked unfortunate not to pick up a decent pot towards the end of the turf season and just needs to demonstrate that he stays 1400 metres to have a good chance of toppling the favourite.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No7 HAVANA JAG (Nap)
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: Charles Bishop
Cunha might well have the answer to the restricted novice with HAVANA JAG, who put in a career best when second at this track last month. The race is likely to be a fast run affair, which will suit the well drawn daughter of Havana Grey.
Race 6 No5 THE CARIBBEAN
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
Considering he was drawn in the car park, THE CARIBBEAN didn’t fare too badly on his latest visit to Dunstall Park. If able to regain the level of his previous solid run he can take out this weak affair.
Race 8 No8 AMICA (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
AMICA attracted support and went close for Channon on a first run for the trainer at Kempton. She couldn’t cope with a step up in class when out of the money next time, but now returned to Class6 can bounce back.
