Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Thursday, 01 January 2026

CHELTENHAM

Race 1 No7 STEP AHEAD
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings

STEP AHEAD was the only one to make a race of it with the smart Moneygarrow on his first run over hurdles at Warwick. He was ultimately outclassed by the winner, but had the others well strung out behind him. He has a tongue strap retained today to assist with his breathing, and should handle this better ground.

Race 4 No2 MATATA (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Although he hasn’t had much to shout about so far this season, MATATA has to be of interest if starting close to his paper price. A winner at this course and Windsor last season, he would have finished second in the Schloer Chase but for a bad blunder at the final fence, then took away a minor cheque at Kelso in a race that has worked out. Much will depend on whether GLENGOULY is allowed as much rope as when stealing a march on his rivals here last month, a scenario which is unlikely to be repeated.

Race5 DORNAN ENGINEERING RELKEEL HURDLE (Grade 2)

No2 LUCKY PLACE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville

LUCKY PLACE is another classy performer for just hasn’t enjoyed the rub of the green this winter. He takes on hot favourite KABRAL DU MATHAN with something to prove, but it’s far from impossible that a return to hurdling can bring about a better showing from the talented six-year-old, who beat GOWEL ROAD in this 12 months ago and can confirm his superiority. A success here would put him in the picture for the Stayers’ Hurdle back here in March.

WINDSOR

Race 3 No8 LETS GO TO VEGAS (Each Way)
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: Jack Hogan

Since his arrival on these shores from Ireland, LETS GO TO VEGAS has been a fine servant to her new connections with three hurdling successes and just one poor run in that discipline. By the admission of her trainer she needed her first run of the season at Haydock, which came following a long absence, but it didn’t stop her scoring in gritty fashion after an impressive round of jumping. She had a good blow afterwards, and will be straighter.

Race 6 No2 GUARD DUTY (Each Way)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

In another competitive handicap hurdle GUARD DUTY a could be the way to go. The eight-year-old has few miles on his racing clock but impressive figures, having won a bumper, a novice hurdle and two handicap hurdles whilst earning in all but two of his other seven outings. He will surely be all the better for his run to chase home the progressive French Ship at Newbury, and in an open race can outpoint HARTINGTON.

Race 7 No1 FORTUNE DANCER (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Freddie Gordon

FORTUNE DANCER is hard to get away from as she defends a two race unbeaten record over fences. The seven-year-old was particularly impressive on her recent visit to Uttoxeter where she scored with a dominating display, and was eased down on the run in. While the handicapper has had his say, she should operate just as well on this track.

EXETER

Race 1 No6 SEASMOKE (Nap)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Jack Andrews

From a yard that’s been amongst the winners SEASMOKE gets a confident vote. The Flemensfirth mare has run well in each of her three outings over fences and traded short in running before ultimately being put in her place at Southwell a fortnight ago. She’s back against males in this conditional jockeys’ handicap chase, but is the most likely of the nine runners to run her race.

Race 5 No4 STORMING NELSON
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Lucy Gardner

STORMING NELSON knows his way round this course, having posted his only success at the Haldon track exactly two years ago. It’s been a long wait for the six-year-old to add to his laurels, but following a couple of earning runs after a breathing operation this could provide a winning opportunity for him.

MUSSELBURGH

Race 4 No2 THE KALOOKI KID (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Callum Bewley

In the best race on this card THE KALOOKI KID can prevail. The grey is the winner of two of his five outings over fences including over course and distance back in February. He’s underwhelmed when highly tried on two subsequent outings, though wasn’t beaten far when last of four in an intermediate chase at Carlisle. Just four lengths behind the winner Resplendent Grey, he needs to be taken seriously as the only one in the field that has scope for progression.

Race 6 No7 CHASE A FORTUNE
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Charlie Maggs

Having gamely toughed it out to score on his latest start at Wetherby, CHASE A FORTUNE can consolidate with another earning display in an open affair. He’s reporter in good form but his trainer, while his closest pursuer Double Oban gave the form a boost with his Leicester triumph earlier in the week.

CATTERICK BRIDGE

Race 6 No6 GOZO (Nap)
Trainer: Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Conor Rabbit

It could pay to keep the punting powder dry at this fixture, though GOZO is of some interest in the finale. The six-year-old was a winner on his only start over jumps at Plumpton and had run well on the all weather and in a competitive handicap hurdle at Newbury before joining his current trainer. It makes him the most interesting horse in action at the meeting.

SOUTHWELL

Race 2 No3 GENEROUS RASCAL (Nap)
Trainer: Oliver Cole – Jockey: Hector Crouch

GENEROUS RASCAL ran into a smart foe when second on his third career run at Kempton, a performance which earned him a mark. If racing with more restraint on this switch to a handicap he can prevail.

Race 3 No7 POCKLINGTON
Trainer: Geoff Oldroyd – Jockey: PJ McDonald

POCKLINGTON is back over 1200 metres which looks a smart move after his defeat over a longer trip at Newcastle. He’s an upwardly mobile sprinter who was unfortunate not to win last year, and who can make it a perfect start to 2026 for his connections.

NEWCASTLE

Race 2 No2 POLKA
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Tom Kiely-Marshall

Territories filly POLKA was green on her first run here but stayed on in eye taking fashion when the penny dropped for a podium finish. She’s learned plenty from that experience and can open her account.

Race 5 No9 CONCERT BOY (Nap)
Trainer: Katie Scott – Jockey: Greg Fairly

CONCERT BOY was hammered with a 9lb rise after powering clear on his latest visit to Gosforth Park. He will need to progress to cope with that, but everything about him suggests he can.