Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Bath, Nottingham, Wetherby and Kempton Park 18 October 2023.
BATH
Race 2 No13 KITBAG (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
KITBAG returns from a protracted break but is fit and fancied for this first run on turf in 2023. The Territories gelding performed well for his new trainer in the late winter and early spring, going close in races at Wolverhampton and Lingfield. He is in good order and has been ridden by his jockey in work, while he has a good draw from which to be competitive.
Race 4 No1. LADY PERCIVAL (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Charles Bishop
The featured Beckford Stakes has a short-priced favourite in the form of class dropper MIMIKYU, but it’s likely one of the roughies will claim a cheque and the value could lie with LADY PERCIVAL. A winner of three of her last four starts, the Sir Percy mare comfortably took out a Class 4 handicap at Salisbury on only a second run of the campaign. With so few miles on her racing clock this year she could make the necessary improvement to figure at the end of the Listed contest.
Race 7 No6 EASTER ICON (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
EASTER ICON has shown a liking for Catterick where his last two triumphs have happened. Bath is a similarly tight course in terms of its left-handed bends and the chestnut should be right at home in a first visit here under a jockey who rode a big winner on Saturday.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 4 No8 GOLDEN MOVE
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Billy Garritty
Dubai Souq needs respecting following his course and distance success two weeks ago, but might find GOLDEN MOVE too hot to handle trying to give that rival 12lb. The selection put in his only disappointing run in the Class 2 Melrose Handicap at York but has otherwise performed well in the majority of his races this season. This track with its long home straight should suit him admirably.
Race 5 No1 GOOD POINT
TRAINER: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Graham Lee
GOOD POINT is a consistent performer and a winner waiting to happen. He brings solid form to the table and is going to enjoy the cut in the ground. Although it’s impossible to rule anything out of this nursery, he’s one that should relish the challenge and can earn big.
Race 6 No1 DESPERATE HERO (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
DESPERATE HERO landed both his 2023 successes by making the running away from the other runners and in the hands of Tom Marquand. On each occasion at Windsor and Newbury the grey was able to get detached from the main body of the field, a manoeuvre once achieved he never looked like coming back. He now has Doyle on his back, and it’s hard to think she won’t have been briefed by her husband on how to get the best out of the nap.
WETHERBY
Race 4 No7 DEYRANN DE CARJAC
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
The featured Bobby Renton Handicap Chase can go to DEYRANN DE CARJAC who saved the best until last in a fruitless 2022/23 campaign when fifth in a Grade 2 handicap at Cheltenham, and who is taking what could prove to be a significant class drop. He faces strong opposition from MACKENBURG, PAY THE PIPER and KARL PHILIPPE who in that order are the main threats to him.
Race 5 No5 HIDALGO DE L’ISLE (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
HIDALGO DE L’ISLE ran well on both start in the summer jumps season and is fresh for this return for the winter campaign. He attracts support almost automatically and can add to his laurels at the main expense of Fransham, whose trainer has a good record with her runners here.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 No6 MOUSH (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
It’s hard to single out anything in this competitive heat, but having had his wind operated on MOUSH could prove the answer. The Charm Spirit gelding often found less than expected at the end of his races, but the correction procedure can help make the difference on a first outing for over two months and a return to Polytrack.
Race 7 No13 WIZARDING (Nap)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
WIZARDING likes to race handily, lending itself to him breaking well from the rail in this race round a right-handed bend. He’s troubled the judge on each of his last four outings and looked unlucky when fourth at Bath. If he enjoys the rub of the green with Murphy retaining the mount, he can make this a first success since his only previous delivery here just over a year ago.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 3-9)
9, 4 x 6, 7, 1 x 2, 3, 6 x 9 x 13, 6 x 12, 2, 9 x 6, 10
R216
