Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Uttoxeter, Warwick and Lingfield Park on 31 December 2023.
UTTOXETER
Race 2 No2 WEST WARHORSE (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Alice Stevens
WEST WARHORSE will not get away with it if running as keenly as he did at Fakenham on this more demanding track, but if he consents to settle the lightly-raced five-year-old can follow-up. In fairness he drips back to two miles, which in itself gives him a better chance of getting home.
Race 4 No3 CALL ME ARTHUR
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Conor Ring
CALL ME ARTHUR put up by far his best effort in a so far disappointing career when losing out to Danton in a tight finish at Exeter. With his trainer amongst the winners he’s of considerable interest in this open contest in which Barncroft (who is a pea out of the same pod) rates a big threat. He would still be a bet if taking up his alternative engagement at Warwick.
Race 5 No4 LITTLE PI
Trainer: Matt Sheppard – Jockey: a Harry Cobden
LITTLE PI has progressed from race to race this season and interestingly attracted support before his narrow delivery at Ludlow last time. In previous races he’d started at odds between 33-1 and 300-1 so effectively it was his first possible chance of success. Now the gelding needs to prove it was no fluke, and with Cobden in the irons for the first time, he can.
WARWICK
Race 2 No2 OTTOLINE
OTTOLINE handled gruelling underfoot conditions to score at Uttoxeter which means he holds the cards over Oneandahalfdegrees. The latter has shown promise in both starts in bumpers but proven experience can be a big factor, and it tips the balance in favour of my selection, who should have more to offer.
Race 4 No8 TEDLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
TEDLEY hasn’t mustered an ounce of market support in five outings for his owner/trainer, but now that he’s shown some form he’s going to post the top-rated in this weak affair. If backing up his narrow defeat at Ffos Las he can open his account.
Race 5 No6 GENERAL HUBBLE
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
GENERAL HUBBLE has a tendency to jump left which shouldn’t inconvenience the gelding on this return to a left-handed track. He managed to win despite that handicap at Market Rasen. It was just the fifth race of his career, and there should be more to come.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No5 THAPA VC
Trainer: Mark Rimell – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
THAPA VC is closely matched with Abbey’s Dream on past form but the former comes here fresh from a smooth success at Southwell last week for which he’s 3lb higher. From a good draw and with his tail up the five-year-old can serve up a repeat.
Race 2 No3 ROCKSTAR ICON (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: David Probert
ROCKSTAR ICON has outstanding claims but needs to show that he’s ready to rumble following a six-month absence. His second to Chaturanga at Haydock reads very well. It was just a second start for the Sixties Icon gelding, who has worked well on an artificial surface at home.
Race 7 No2 MAHARAJAS EXPRESS
Trainer: Jack Jones – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
MAHARAJAS EXPRESS would have scored by a wider margin had he not encountered trouble in running here last month. His 2lb rise in the weights could therefore be deemed lenient, and granted similar luck regarding racing real estate at the business end of this sprint, he can follow up.
