Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Hereford, Kelso and Wetherby on 29 November 2023.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No1 MAGIC SEVEN
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
MAGIC SEVEN was very impressive when returning to this course, scene of his previous career success in a bumper. He smoothly converted some good bets on that hurdling debut at the start of the month. He’s taken his race well, and can demonstrate how much this venue suits him by following up at the main expense of Reverend Hubert.
Race 4 No1 CASA NO MENTO (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Finn Lambert
CASA NO MENTO makes abundant appeal in this novices’ hurdle and should prove very hard to beat. A clear-cut winner of her only outing over jumps at Market Rasen, she skipped an opportunity two weeks ago and has been made fitter. This is a gilt-edged opportunity for her to follow up.
Race 6 No2 HIPOP DES ONGRAIS
Trainer: Robert Walford – Jockey: Harry Kimber
HIPOP DES ONGRAIS landed some good bets on his seasonal return at Fontwell to suggest he had turned a corner. Unbeaten in two chase starts at the West Sussex venue, he should take care of business in a race that lacks strength in depth.
KELSO
Race 1 No1 WYENOT ( Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
Long-distance traveller WYENOT looked a smart prospect when beating Norman Fletcher at Ludlow. He journeyed a mile from yard to track for that, but now embarks on a 560-mile round trip in his bid to follow up under a penalty. The second horse boosted the form when going one better last week, making his case rock solid.
Race 5 No7 BEAT THE RETREAT (Each Way)
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Bruce Lynn
As the least exposed in this novices’ handicap hurdle, BEAT THE RETREAT needs respecting. He improved from race to race in four outings this season, and if fit for this first outing since March, and with the added benefit of a wind operation, should get into the shake-up.
Race 6 No4 BRETNEY
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Alice Stevens
Out of the same lorry bringing Wyenot, BRETNEY can prove the answer to this conditional jockeys’ long-distance handicap chase. The eight-year-old has shown in each of his seasons as a chaser that he goes well returning from a break, including when third at Ludlow earlier in the month, a run that should have put the cutting-edge on him.
WETHERBY
Race 2 No1 I’M TOO TIRED (Nap)
Trainer: Jennie Candlish – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
Any support for Kourosh could prove significant but the proven form of I’M TOO TIRED tempts me towards him. He looked likely to win for much of the way at Sedgefield a fortnight ago, having troubled the judge on his other two hurdling runs, and is the most likely of the principals in the betting to run his race.
Race 4 No6 TOONAGH WARRIOR
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Charlie Hammond
Easily the most experienced in this novices’ hurdle, TOONAGH WARRIOR might still have room for improvement after a very encouraging first effort for his trainer when second to a well-regarded rival at Warwick. That surpassed the best form he’d produced when based in Ireland, and he could have more to offer.
