Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Wednesday 27 December 2023

CHEPSTOW

Race 2 No3 JACKPOT D’ATHOU
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden

JACPOT D’ATHOU came back from a wind operation to gamely deliver on jumps debut over this course and distance last month. From looking to be in a spot of trouble he was well in charge at the finish, and looks good value for his penalty.

Race 3 No3 GOOD RISK AT ALL
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Although he underwhelmed when favourite for his second run over fences at Cheltenham, GOOD RISK AT ALL was let down by some shoddy jumping. His trainer has concentrated on giving him plenty of practice in that department subsequently, and the chestnut can take full advantage of the 21lbs he receives from First Flow.

Race 5 CORAL FINALE JUVENILE HURDLE (Grade 2)

No1 BURDETT ROAD
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Harry Cobden

It’s impossible to oppose BURDETT ROAD who can with a third win in as many starts over jumps consolidate his position as favourite for the Triumph Hurdle. He came from last to first to strip up the final hill on his latest outing at Cheltenham and can make equally short work of today’s opposition.

Race 6 CORAL WELSH GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE

No12 SUPER SURVIVOR (Each Way)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

The major betting extravaganza of the festive period sees IWILLDOIT attempting to repeat his success of 2021 on only a fourth outing since that triumph, and with a couple of stones more on his back though this is eased by the 7lb claim of his conditional rider. The ten-year-old looked as good as ever when second to Gentleman At Arms over hurdles at Aintree and has delighted his trainer in his work at home. He’s been bucking and kicking when leaving the gallops and schooled beautifully last week.

AUTONOMOUS CLOUD is a young and improving stayer who enters calculations carrying a 4lb penalty for his convincing Uttoxeter success last month and can figure for Fergal O’Brien as he takes a massive step up the distance ladder.

With a similar profile, SUPER SURVIVOR has to be seriously considered for Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan. This superb jumper put in a pleasing trial on a comeback when second to barn mate Git Maker at Lingfield. He’s been the subject of a steady gamble and looks likely to start favourite to provide his trainer with what would be the most valuable success of his career.

One of the roughies that might run better than his price indicates is THE GALLOPING BEAR, who brings good form to the table on return from a lengthy absence.

Prediction: 1st SUPER SURVIVOR, 2nd Iwilldoit, 3rd Autonomous Coud, 4th The Galloping Bear

Race 8 No2 ROCKING MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

ROCKING MAN landed some good bets when powering home on his debut over this course and distance. For top connections he can serve up a repeat, though he’s carded to start at prohibitive odds.

KEMPTON PARK

Race 1 No3 MATTERHORN
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Lorcan Williams

MATTERHORN is an enthusiastic front-runner whose double penalty served to get him beat at Taunton last time. There was no disgrace in that defeat by Ballee who has hacked up in a subsequent race, and the five-year-old is a fascinating contender on his switch to handicaps.

Race 3 LADBROKES WAYWARD LAD NOVICES’ CHASE (Grade 2)

No2 MASTER CHEWY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

This has cut up favourably for MASTER CHEWY a who is very unlucky not to be unbeaten over fences and has looked a natural since switching codes. He came home unchallenged on return to action at Aintree, and then at both the same track and Newbury has his chance severely compromised by the omission of fences in the home straight owing to a low sun. He faces stern opposition from Nickle Back, but will be helped by the pace injection likely to be presented by that free going rival.

Race 4 LADBROKES DESERT ORCHID HANDICAP CHASE (Grade 2)

No2 BOOTHILL
Trainer: Harry Fry – Jockey: Jonathan Burke

I thought BOOTHILL could have given it a good go had heavy ground not prevented him running in the Tingle Creek at the start of the month. The eight-year-old now gets an opportunity to step up in class but into a Grade 2, and he can prove up to the task. Having successfully carried big weights in a couple of handicaps, he can now show his prowess and complete a hat-trick at the main expense of the much improved ELIXIR DE NUTZ.

Race 6 No2 MIDNIGHTREFLECTION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Mr Charlie Case

MIDNIGHTREFLECTION has taken a hike in the weights since gamely delivering in a Class3 at Ascot. That effort was a career-best from the eight-year-old. She hasn’t run well on two previous starts at this track, but can put that record straight in a task in which GAYE LEGACY could prove her main obstacle to victory.

WETHERBY

Race 3 No3 GAZETTE BOURGEOISE
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Harry Bannister

GAZETTE BOURGEOISE was given an enterprising ride at Ffos Las only to be denied in the final stride of a thriller. Her jumping was a joy to behold, and at a track where superior jumping can prove an ace card she can belatedly open her account over fences.

Race 1 No1 KABRAL DU MATHAN (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Bryony Frost

KABRAL DU MATHAN makes his debut for the champion trainer after scoring on only start for a top French trainer at Clairefontaine. The Pastorius gelding has been well tutored for the juvenile hurdle division and should make no mistake.

Race 6 No1 XCITATIONS
Trainer: Pam Sly – Jockey: Paul O’Brien

XCITATIONS Aran well for a long way in a better race than this at Newbury, finishing third to Elixir De Nutz. He’d previously downed a smart foe in Western Zephyr at Sandown, and at a track his trainer does well at can stave off the challenge of Gunsight Ridge.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 2 No2 KITBAG
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tommie Jakes

KITBAG was well ridden to open his account here last week and returns under a 6lb penalty. He’s not very well drawn, but is one of the few in the race that have found some form, making him the one to beat.

Race 3 No2 COMPLETELY RANDOM (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Charlton – Jockey: Trevor Whelan

COMPLETELY RANDOM improved from a satisfactory first effort to make a race of it with Ippotheos over course and distance a fortnight ago. The grey attracted plenty of support and can now recoup those losses.