Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Ffos Las, Fontwell Park, Wincanton and Southwell on 12 December 2023.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No1 THE JUKEBOX MAN
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
THE JUKEBOX MAN created a very favourable impression when coming home unchallenged on his hurdling debut here. He attracted heavy support and looked a natural, and can make this a third success at a course where he is unbeaten.
Race 3 No7 STEEL ALLY (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Cobden’s booking for STEEL ALLY takes the eye and the five-year-old can make up for an unlucky defeat here on his seasonal return. He had jumped beautifully from the front, and appeared in control only to put in an awkward jump at the last that caused him to lose valuable momentum. Reeled in on the Flat, he can stave off the challenge of Fortunate Man.
Race 5 No1 THE KING OF RYHOPE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
THE KING OF RYHOPE made no mistake on his chase debut at Chepstow but missed out on a good opportunity to follow up when Leicester was cancelled last week. He’s now in a slightly tougher race but I still fancy him to prevail, at the main expense of Fine Casting.
Race 7 No4 GAZETTE BOURGEOISE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Harry Cobden
GAZETTER BOURGEOISE wears a first-time tongue tie as well as cheek pieces and is the type that might make an impact caught fresh from a long absence. One of her best efforts over fences happened on her debut at Uttoxeter, and although unable to better that near miss she should enjoy this galloping track.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 2 No7 QUEEN OF STEEL (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Tom Cannon
QUEEN OF STEEL put in a pleasing first run over jumps when second over this course and distance and could represent value in this juvenile hurdle. The daughter of Nathaniel looks as if she will do better in this sphere than was the case on the Flat, and can pose a real threat to the favourite River Gold.
Race 5 No8 STUTI (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Bass
STUTI ran a cracker when chasing home Southern Babylon at Market Rasen as she was easy to back and kept on willingly in a run that will have brought her on. Her trainer is doing well with his small team of jumpers, and this home-bred mare should open her account.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No2 LUMP SUM (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
LUMP SUM hacked up on his return to action at Ffos Las and was heavily backed in a better race at Haydock that fell to the weather. He’s in a big field for this but it won’t be surprising if that adage ‘the bigger the field, the bigger the certainty’ applies to him because he’s smart.
Race 7 No1 LIGHTNING FLASH
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: James Turner
LIGHTNING FLASH belongs to a set of bumper horses owned by their trainer that have been amongst the winners. He made no mistake on Rules debut at Ludlow when pulling clear, and can follow up under a good conditional whose claim wipes out his penalty.
SOUTHWELL
Race 7 No9 SAVVY BRILLIANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Sean Woods – Jockey: Rab Havlin
SAVVY BRILLIANCE was far too good for a previous winner at Wolverhampton and appeals as the only bet on a trappy card for punting. He’s not very well drawn but should have plenty of time to obtain a stalking position in this stamina test.
