Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Wincanton, Catterick Bridge, and Newcastle on 16 December 2025
WINCANTON
Race 1 No2 REGENT’S STROLL (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Two horses that might well end up running at the Cheltenham Festival clash in a fascinating match with REGENT’S STROLL taken to down his odds-on opponent JERIKO DU REPONET. The latter couldn’t cope with Jax Junior at Kempton, and while he will have tightened up for that, the free going Regent’s Stroll preferred. He was far too keen for his own good on chase debut at Newbury, but to his credit rallied when overtaken by Wendigo. He jumped well, and remains one of the best prospects at Ditcheat.
Race 3 No9 PIPING ROCK
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Ben Jones
PIPING ROCK made a good fist of it on Rules debut at Windsor when denied by a progressive rival. The former Irish pointer represents a stable in form, and can get the better of penalised GATINEAU PARK.
Race 4 No12 SWINGIN SAFARI
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
This looks a weak maiden hurdle in which SWNGIN SAFARI can put his best foot forward. The former useful bumper performer fell when in contention at the final flight on his first run over hurdles at Chepstow, but is none the worse for the spill and strongly fancied to make amends.
Race 5 No1 SHERBORNE (Each Way)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
SHERBORNE has crept up in the weights but makes certain appeal on this third start follow a breathing operation. He troubled the judge on both starts in the autumn and returns revived off a freshening break. His record over fences here reads 124, reflecting his liking for the track.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 4 No1 COURT CANYON (Nap)
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell – Jockey: Keith Donoghue
COURT CANYON looks to hold the aces as a first runner at this course for his trainer, whose horses are in the process of coming out of the doldrums. The Nap was a convincing scorer on his first run over hurdles at Clonmel, and strongly fancied to defy a 7lb penalty.
Race 6 No1 ZERO TOLERANCE
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Conor Ring
Although proving hard to win with, ZERO TOLERANCE has been handed a great chance to open his account under Rules and I fancy the ball will at last go in the net. He’s troubled the judge on five of his six outings over fences including three seconds, and though no match for Jackpot Cash at Sedgefield last time should find this a more straightforward task.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No3 SUNLIT SEA
Trainer: Sur Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
SUNLIT SEA stayed on well after being ridden with more restraint to pick up another minor cheque over 1000 metres at Chelmsford. The daughter of Mehmas remains at the minimum trip for this tight knit nursery, in which she can see off the challenges of of MYSTICAL LAND.
Race 5 No4 TRAIS FLUORS (Each Way)
Trainer: Linda Perrett – Jockey: Alex Jary
Former Group race winner TRAIS FLUORS is well into the veteran stage, but after posting a very good effort to trouble the judge here last week can show with a first success in exactly a year that he’s still got it.
Race 8 No5 MISTER BLUE SKY (Each Way)
MISTER BLUE SKY would have finished closer when just about of the money over course and distance last week but for being hampered. A deserving change of fortune could await this super consistent performer and he’s taken to end the winning spree of hat-trick seeker TEARDROPS.
