Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Hexham, Exeter, Leicester, Lingfield Park and Kempton Park on 13 December 2023.
HEXHAM
Race 2 No7 BEBSIDE BANGER (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
BEBSIDE BANTER came out of the wilderness to score decisively at Sedgefield. He missed an opportunity to follow up last week but this looks a similarly good chance and he may have more to offer.
Race 7 No3 ONE FER MAMMA (Each Way)
Trainer: Paula Smith – Jockey: Emma Smith-Chaston
ONE FER MAMMA had very good form in handicaps two years ago, but following a promising run back last season didn’t fire in three outings for his current handler. The seven-year-old is at the right end of the age scale to find further success and has been dropped onto a workable mark.
EXETER
Race 2 No6 WILLIAMDECONQUEROR
Trainer: Harriet Dickin – Jockey: Benjamin Poste
Percy Veering will be at short odds to complete a hat-trick but faces a doughty foe in WILLIAMDECONQUEROR. The seven-year-old numbered a second to SKYHILL at Sedgefield amongst his efforts since being sent chasing, and occupied the same placing when short-headed by Dysania at Lingfield last time. With few miles on his racing clock, he could find the necessary improvement to down the favourite.
Race 6 No1 BROOMFIELD PRESENT (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
BROOMFIELD PRESENT was still in contention when being brought down by a faller at Uttoxeter. It’s hard to know whether he would have beaten eventual winner Autonomous Cloud although his tendency to run in snatches had counted against him. He attracted a welter of support that day and now needs to show that the losses were only lent.
LEICESTER
Race 2 No1 LORD OF KERAK
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
LORD OF KERAK has earned in each of his four starts since switching to fences. Although a tad out of his depth at Aintree last month, he had a good blow afterwards and has subsequently undergone wind surgery. Should that surgery have worked he can make light of his welter burden in this novices’ handicap chase.
Race 3 No4 JUSTSHORTOFABUBBLE (Nap)
Trainer: Grace Harris – Jockey: Ben Jones
JUSTSHORTOFABUBBLE is proving a fine servant to connections and was in with a chance of recording a third success in his last four outings when falling at Ludlow. The strong traveller is one the worse for that spill, and appeals as one of the best bets of the day.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No3 BOWMAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Laura Mongan – Jockey: William Carson
BOWMAN shaped like a horse getting ready to win soon and is taken to go from gate to line in this low-grade handicap. Although unconsidered in the betting he was beaten only two and three-quarter lengths when sixth to Sir Oliver over this course and distance last month. It’s been 18 months since his last success but the handicapper has given him a chance.
Race 7 No6 NATURE WATCH (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Curlin gelding NATURE WATCH narrowly failed to justify strong support 9n his Wolverhampton introduction. The chestnut got caught out by greenness and should now make no mistake, with this slightly trip likely to suit him.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 6 No4 REBEL’S ROMANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
REBEL’S ROMANCE has won on four of his seven races on sand and is a class apart from his foes in the featured Wild Flower Stakes. The much travelled gelding suffered a reverse when beaten at short odds in the US last time, but can make short work of these opponents.
Race 8 No13 MOORGATE (Each Way)
Trainer: Pat Murphy – Jockey: Harry Davies
MOORGATE is holding his form well and is worth siding with as he stretches out to seven furlongs breaking from the rail. He has the necessary pace to obtain a good position and can return to winning ways.
