Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newcastle, Ayr and Kempton Park on 15 November 2023.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No12 FRANBERRI (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Cameron Noble
FRANBERRI along with Quantum Cat has the least mileage on her racing clock, and I fancy the daughter of Frankel to convert on this handicap debut. She was a well supported winner over this course and distance, and as that was her first run on sand she should have greatly benefitted from the experience. Furthermore she’s getting weight from everything else in the field.
Race 6 No8 CHARENCY
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Paddy Mathers
Another with low mileage is CHARENCY, whose last three outings have seen him hovering around the winner’s circle. The Lope De Vega gelding failed by inches to open his account on handicap bow at Leicester, having gained experience of this course when taking away a minor cheque on his previous outing. The chestnut should have more to give.
AYR
Race 1 No5 ESPRIT DE POTIER (Nap)
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Derek Fox
Russell fields a few with chances and ESPRIT DE POTIER is the Nap. A winner of two bumpers in a productive 2022/23 campaign, the four-year-old found Slugger too hot to handle on jumps debut at Kelso after being heavily backed. With a victory here he can show that the losses were merely lent.
Race 3 No8 STEP ABOVE (Each Way)
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Derek Fox
A point winner for David O’Brien in Ireland, STEP ABOVE has more than paid his way in three outings since his move to Scotland. He impressed on debut under Rules in a maiden hurdle here before finishing second back at the course under a penalty before Christmas. The cash came for him on chase debut at Hexham in the autumn, where he ran well for a minor placing. He should have learned plenty from it.
Race 6 No10 SUN JOY (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
Long distance traveller SUN JOY had solid form in France where he was in the money on all four starts on the Flat and over hurdles. He lacks nothing in the way of experience, and should have the upper hand on Choose A Copper, who won well at Hexham but has to shoulder a penalty.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No9 MUQINAH (Each Way)
Trainer: Owen Burrows – Jockey: Jim Crowley
Novice races are always more open at this time of the year, with trainers desperate to get runs into their backward juveniles. All but two in this fillies’ contest are unraced, and it might be worth chancing the beautifully bred MUQINAH. She’s certainly bred for the job, as the daughter of Frankel is out of a mare by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass. However, support for Sea La Venus and Uplift would also be of interest.
Race 5 No2 BRIONI
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: David Egan
Cloth Of Stars colt BRIONI ran well to claim a cheque as a 40-1 roughie on his Sandown introduction. He’s trained well on an all-weather surface at home and has a good draw for this race round a right-handed bend. Godolphin newcomer Cupid’s Dream would be of interest if he’s strong in the market, but BRIONI should make his greater experience count.
Race 7 No3 ORZO (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew a balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
ORZO has not been without her issues, and makes just a fourth career appearance in this fillies’ handicap. Having gone onto the sidelines after a first run of the year at this course in April, she shaped well in making the frame on her first turf run at Newmarket last month. That should have blown away any cobwebs and she should have the measure of top weight Wild Side.
