Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Fontwell Park, Uttoxeter and Southwell on 10 December 2024.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 2 No1 HIGH TREASON (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell
HIGH TREASON ran better than it looked when third on his debut over fences at Newbury and has benefitted from that experience. He’s now carrying top weight in a lower grade contest from a 2lb lower mark. He also has on his back an amateur who excelled in these colours on Beauport at Ascot recently. As long as his jumping holds up I think he can take care of business.
Race 5 No6 KATIRA DU MESTIVEL
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
KATIRA DU MESTIVEL changed hands for a six figure sum following a single outing in an Irish point when she was made favourite only to fall. She has been going well at home, and can take advantage of the 7lb she receives from the penalised Hollygrove Cha Cha.
Race 6 No9 MOTAZZEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Brendan Powell
MOTAZZEN doesn’t instantly leap out as the likely winner of this handicap chase but there was more to like about his earning run at Southwell last time which suggests he’s getting ready to cash in on a pronounced fall in the ratings.
He has a definite chance if returning to his best form, and I shall pay to find out.
UTTOXETER
Race 1 No8 KATATE DORI (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
KATATE DORI has become expensive to follow, and it was worrying how tamely he folded when strong in the market for his return to action at Ascot. I’m nevertheless tempted to give him another chance, as his trainer now reaches for a first time visor, and he may have been less fit than connections thought.
Race 2 No8 OH MY JOHNNY
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Mickeal Nolan
ON MY JOHNNY had the misfortune to crash out when holding every chance at Bangor’s final flight and can be regarded as a winner without a penalty in this novices’ hurdle. He should gain compensation for that mishap, though KNEAD A WIN might cause him problems if consenting to race less freely than was the case on his first run under Rules at Hereford.
Race 3 No2 FINGLE BRIDGE (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
FINGLE BRIDGE returns from an enforced absence of more than 700 days with the memory of his sauntering home on his latest start in a Chepstow bumper still resonant in the mind. At age six he still has the time required to realise his full potential, and it will surely need something a bit special to prevent him making this a winning first run over hurdles.
Race 4 No4 JAGWAR
Trainer: Oliver Greenall – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
JAGWAR gets the vote to take out the best race on a very interesting card and remain unbeaten over fences. He engaged in a bit of a Houdini act to get out of trouble to score at Wetherby, but was more assured at Bangor which in truth is a tighter track than ideal for him. This course should play to his strengths, and from a 9lb higher mark he can complete a fine hat-trick.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No7 SWINGING LONDON (Nap)
Trainer: John Mackie – Jockey: Finley Marsh
SWINGING LONDON has performed consistently well on all-weather surfaces since a run back over hurdles, going 222 on his last three starts. While it’s some time since his last success which was at Fakenham nearly two years ago, he’s clearly in a good place and if getting the rub of the green can post a deserving win.
Race 6 No2 BOUNDLESS POET
Trainer: Ollie Sangster – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
BOUNDLESS POET is the only newcomer in the field but must be watched in the market ahead of this first leg of the novice. He’s a well related individual, has a good draw and can get into the shake up in the famous Sangster colours.
