Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Exeter, Southwell and Chelmsford on 21 December 2023.
EXETER
Race 3 No4 MIDNIGHT GINGER
Trainer: Andrew Martin – Jockey: J Martin
MIDNIGHT GINGER has been a regular earner since scoring at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. Her closest to a repeat came with a paper-thin defeat at Chepstow last month. As that was her first outing in five months she could easily improve And go one better. She’s a fluent jumper for whom this galloping track is ideal.
Race 4 No3 JOKER DE MAI (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Mr David Maxwell
So stylish was the Lingfield success of JOKER DE MAI an earlier in the month that it’s hard to think he won’t shrug off a 7lb penalty. His form when trained in France stands up to close inspection, and it’s clear from that latest effort that he needed his first run under Rules when well beaten at Newbury.
Race 5 No7 TOP OF THE BILL ( Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
TOP OF THE BILL stayed on from an unpromising position to claim a minor cheque at Exeter where he appeared to resent the cheekpieces he wore for the first time. I’m surprised the headgear has been persevered with, but there’s no doubt that second outing over fences will have done him some good.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No5 SASSY BELLE
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: D Nolan
SASSY BELLE gamely opened her account for the year at Leicester in the autumn and now debuts for the Evans stable. The Mehmas filly is well drawn for this sprint around a left-handed bend and that should give her an advantage over the consistent Beauty Choice.
Race 6 a No1 WHATAWIT (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Morgan Cole
Although he is conceding more than a stone to A Gift Of Love, WHATAWIT can underline the merit of his Wolverhampton triumph. He landed some good bets at Dunstall Park and looked better the further he travelled. He was also the winner of two of his four starts in bumpers, and can remain unbeaten on the all-weather.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 3 No7 TWIRLER (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
TWIRLER was seen doing all her best work at the finish on debut at Newcastle to be beaten less than a length into third. She enjoys the rail berth for this similar contest and can have the upper hand over previous winner Star Mind.
Race 5 No2 DESERT RAIDER
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
A 3lb rise for his course and distance success should not hinder DESERT RAIDER who faces a field of mainly out-of-form opponents. The visored gelding will receive top handling from the saddle.
Race 8 No4 LEGENDE D’ART
Trainer: Henry Spiller – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
LEGENDE D’ART has knocked on the door and was unlucky not to prevail over seven furlongs last time. The shorter distance can assist the Kingman gelding who races for only a fifth time in 2023, and should have a bit more to offer.
