Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Plumpton and Wolverhampton on 7 January 2024.
PLUMPTON
Race 2 No1 AUTHORISED SPEED (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: David Noonan
Having switched from the abandoned Sandown card on Saturday, AUTHORISED SPEED can stem the winning run of Oxygen in this novices’ limited handicap chase. A three-time winner as a novice over hurdles, the Nap was in control and showing no signs of stopping when brushing through the penultimate fence at Ascot and paying the penalty. He’s none the worse for that spill, and can post a popular victory for the Moores.
Race 3 No3 WEST WARHORSE
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Alice Stevens
I like how WEST WARHORSE got the job done despite racing freely on his latest start. He’s back on another easy course that doesn’t put emphasis on stamina. If getting onto an easy lead he can thwart another recent scorer in Classic Anthem.
Race 4 No3 ELDORADO ALLEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
ELDORADO ALLEN is one that jumps off the page as a Grade 2 winner over fences now trying his luck back over hurdles. He troubled the judge when fourth in the prestigious Coral Trophy on his latest outing at Newbury and just needs to show that he can be effective around these tight bends, as most of his racing has happened on more conventional galloping tracks.
Race 5 No11 SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE receives weight from everything in this featured Sussex National and can give his trainer a belated first success of the season. He’s hit the woodwork on each of his last three starts in long-distance handicap chases, and displayed his liking for this course when chasing home Milan Bridge before Christmas. There are a number of in-form foes that can also earn, with Sporting Ace and Foxboro also carded to play a hand in the finish, but they might struggle to outstay my selection.
Race 7 No8 BUCEPHALUS
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
BUCEPHALUS was returning from a long absence over jumps when third at Kempton in November. That followed a successful campaign on the Flat, and with so few miles on his clock as a jumper there could be plenty more to come.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No12 CHARLIE’S CHOICE (Each Way)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
CHARLIE’S CHOICE knows how to earn, even though he’s yet to put the ball in the back of the net. On his first visit to Dunstall Park he troubled the judge for the third time in four starts on the all-weather. He is also well drawn for this race around just over a lap of the track.
Race 2 No3 DREAM OF HOPE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: David Probert
DREAM OF HOPE needs to overcome a wide post which would temper my enthusiasm if she’s short in the betting. But on paper she has the best credentials, having stepped up a long way on her first start to finish third in a bunch finish at Lingfield. Representing top connections, granted a slick exit from the gate she should get the job done.
Race 5 No3 SOCIETY LION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Dunlop – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Top weight Smoky Mountain has to be of interest after earning on each of his starts last year but better value can be obtained from SOCIETY LION. A winner on the latest of two visits to this track, the seven-year-old finished well when fourth to Twilight Madness at Lingfield and has Hollie Doyle back in his saddle.
