Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Wincanton, Catterick Bridge and Newcastle on 17 December 2024.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No2 WEST ORCHARD (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Caoilin Quinn
WEST ORCHARD jumped beautifully when scoring on his first two starts at Plumpton and Fontwell and remained on the Sussex circuit for his recent third in a stronger race at the last-named track. He’s in calmer waters and with a new jockey for this conditional jockeys’ handicap chase, and can regain the winning thread.
Race 4 No5 CHOURMO (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Gillard – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
CHOURMO enjoyed a profitable time on the Flat this year where he fared particularly well at Brighton. He’s a handy type who can make the running, and on this debut under Rules at big odds can claim a cheque behind odds-on Don’t Mind If I Do.
Race 7 No5 SWEET CARYLINE
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Jack Tudor
This mares-only handicap hurdle features a couple of recent winners of whom SWEET CARYLINE can prove the pick. The selection was having just a fifth start over jumps when opening her account in decisive fashion at Fontwell, and should confirm the placings with her closest pursuer Ask Her Out.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 4 No1 SERIOUS CHAT (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Wise Eagle is carded to go off at odds-on in this novice hurdle but there could be value in opposing him with SERIOUS CHAT. While the favourite admittedly has abundant potential, my pick has also been in good form in picking up a Stratford bumper and a novice hurdle at Wetherby, while the addition of cheek pieces can assist in him causing a minor upset.
Race 5 No4 VANILLA DANCER (Each Way)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
VANILLA DANCER hails from a yard that’s doing well with its handicap hurdlers and is a horse that deserves a change of luck. The mare has carded figures of 3433443 in a bumper and six races over jumps, but is thoroughly genuine. It’s her first visit to this course, where the tight turns should play to her strengths.
Race 6 No1 LANGTON WOLD
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Craig Nichol
LANGTON WOLD formed the leg of a juicy exacta for us when running at Sedgefield earlier in the month. The winner of Foster’s Fortune is a good yardstick to judge by, and his rival has every chance of going one better here, in a race that few can win.
NEWCASTLE
Race 6 a No2 EL BUFALO (Nap)
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: Josephine Gordon
EL BUFALO put in his best run on a third back from a breathing operation when ridden by Gordon for the first time at Chelmsford. The combination went down in a blanket finish in the race won by Thankyouappreciate, teeing the chestnut nicely up for this similar contest.
Race 7 No4 JACKSON STREET
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: Kyle Strydom
JACKSON STREET can make it a good night for South Africa by following up his course and distance triumph of two weeks ago. On that occasion, the gelded son of Dandy Man posted a career first win with a bit up his sleeve, and can now cope with a small step up the class band.
