Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday, 20 December 2025

ASCOT

Race 1 No3 IROKO
Trainer: Oliver Greenall: Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

In a very hot opener it could pay to go with the probable outsider of three, IROKO. It seems odd for a horse at the head of the Grand National market running in a graduation chase, but the selection can take advantage of that opportunity as he’s yet to win over fences. He came back with a very promising run at Haydock and can take advantage of the 3lb he receives from James Du Berlais and Firefox.

Race 4 HOWDEN LONG WALK HURDLE (Grade 1)

No8 IMPOSE TOI
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville

This cracking trial for the stayers’ hurdle gives IMPOSE TOI the chance to continue his progression in a move up the class ladder, and to complete a hat-trick. The seven-year-old has produced a smart turn of foot to go through the handicap route to the top level, and probably has much more to offer. He has the beating of STRONG LEADER on Newbury form, and could find POTTERS CHARM more of a threat, while BEAUPORT will love the testing conditions and can’t be completely ruled out as the pick of the roughies.

Prediction: 1st IMPOSE TOI, 2nd Potters Charm, 3rd Beauport

Race 5 No11 PIC ROC (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones

PIC ROC was the subject of sustained on course support before the Coral Trophy, but not for the first time his chance was scuppered by an unsatisfactory start. What had happened to him in The Plate at the Cheltenham Festival came back to haunt him, but his jockey adopted a patient policy, made ground through tiring horses in the straight and was finishing best of all, though just out of the money. The seven-year-old is a well handicapped horse who if ridden ambitiously can make a good fist of it in the best betting race of the day. Others that can enter calculations are BLOW YOUR WAD, JOHNNYWHO and DEEP CAVE.

Prediction: 1st PIC ROC, 2nd Blow Your Wad, 3rd JOHNNYWHO, 4th Deep Cave

Race 6 No9 WELSH CHARGER (Each Way)
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: Jonathan Burke

LIVE CONTI took a massive market drift before being scratched from his intended comeback race, but could well be fitter now. ALEXEI impressed when taking out the Greatwood while JOYEUSE might benefit from a return to hurdles. At a massive price WELSH CHARGER has a definite chance following his fourth in the Greatwood. He enjoys a big swing in the weights with Alexei, and is on a competive mark from which he can earn.

HAYDOCK PARK

Race 3 No4 COBBLER’S BOY (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Tristan Durrell

COBBLER’S BOY demonstrated how much he’d benefitted from a breathing operation when coming home with head in chest at Warwick. His bold front running tactics put paid to a couple of useful rivals, and now in the handicap zone he should continue his progression as a horse to follow.

HEREFORD

Race 2 No5 KING OF RECORDS (Nap)
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Ned Fox

Minella Jury was down to run yesterday, and in his likely absence KING OF RECORDS can take advantage. The former French trained selection has earned in all three hurdling outings for a trainer whose horses are coming quickly to the boil in time for Christmas.

Race 5 No5 ALFIE’S PRINCESS
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston

This is an interesting race for betting, because as well as former useful hurdler ALFIE’S PRINCESS returning from an enforced absence, MINNIEMUM brings solid form to the table while FLOWING CADENZA can come forward from her first run back at Ludlow. I shall combine to trio in exactas and a trifecta but Alfie’s Princess is the best horse in the race.

Race 6 No5 MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: James Turner

MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE is more dependable over hurdles, having run out a couple of times in chases. He’s run well to a point on each of his three races this season, and in a class drop can post a first success in 15 months.

NEWCASTLE

Race 7 No1 COUNTING CARDS (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez

COUNTING CARDS ran well to finish second on his return to action in an effort that indicates a breathing operation has helped him. He has more scope for progression than any of his foes in a weak affair, and should open his account.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 2 No7 STELLAR WORLD (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson

While this will qualify STELLAR WORLD for handicaps, she’s a well related filly who could by going forward from her second run at Southwell get into the shake up at a big price. The step up in trip can only play to her strengths.

Race 6 No7 WESTCOMBE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott- Jockey: Luke Morris

WESTCOMBE did us a good turn with his battling triumph at Kempton earlier in the week. He avoids a penalty for the win, and has a very good chance of making this a second win in what could turn into a sequence going forward. He’s a very promising individual.