Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Taunton, Newcastle, Warwick and Chelmsford City on 8 December 2022.
TAUNTON
Race 1 No3 WAJAAHA
Trainer: Charles Byrnes – Jockey: P Byrnes
WAJAAHA was backed off the boards when easily taking out a Plumpton seller and has subsequently won on the AW at Dundalk. Back at the lowest grade of jumping he could easily be the target for professional money and should oblige.
Race 5 No2 ON TO VICTORY
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
ON TO VICTORY has skipped a couple of opportunities owing to unsuitable ground but should have conditions in his favour for a stable starting to find its feet. Though making no show in the valuable November Handicap at Doncaster, his better days lie over jumps, and if bringing his A-game to the table he should prevail.
Race 7 No4 BRAGANZA BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
BRAGANZA BAY landed a wholesale gamble at Hereford when equipped with first time cheek pieces and under new ownership. He was well on top at the finish, and hails from a stable whose handicappers often run up a sequence after an initial win. It would be no surprise if he has more than enough under the bonnet to defy his new mark.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No5 COUP DE GOLD (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Peter Kavanagh
The diminutive COUP DE GOLD has lost his usual earning thread the last twice, but this looks a good opportunity for him to bounce back. A strong traveller, he’s shown little here on the Flat, but this is his first visit for a hurdle.
Race 3 No7 BRETNEY (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
BRETNEY is in a better class of race than when opening his seasonal account at Hereford, but this strong galloper probably has more to give and can excel on this first visit to Gosforth Park for a trainer whose horses are popping their corks in a big way.
Race 4 No1 IMPERIAL MERLIN
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Billy Garritty
IMPERIAL MERLIN totally dominated on his first run over jumps to come home unchallenged at Catterick. He’s going to improve on that sterling performance and should prove a match for Uttoxeter scorer Supreme Gift, whose trainer has journeyed here looking like he means business.
WARWICK
Race 3 No7 BADDESLEY
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Mr Fred Gordon
Amateur Gordon has developed a fine understanding with BADDESLEY who has his tail up following a snug success at Plumpton and should consolidate on the way to better things. The one he has to worry about is Ballycamus, who should improve on his first run back and can also take away a cheque of some kind.
Race 6 No6 TWEED SKIRT (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
TWEED SKIRT had a tongue tie fitted and was having a first outing after wind surgery when hacking up on chase debut at Kempton. Henderson is a master at conjuring progression from mares of her ilk, and even though this is a warm heat I expect her to win.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 5 No7 UMMING N’ AHING
Trainer: Bill Turner – Jockey: William Carson
West Country traveller UMMING N’ AHING has earned twice in three career starts, and as a colt that knows his job could be too sharp for these. He’s started 66-1 on each occasion, but has to be one of the market leaders competing from a favourable draw.
Race 9 No5 FAR HORIZON (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Scudamore – Jockey: Aidan Keeley
FAR HORIZON is by a long way the least exposed contender for this all-Aged handicap and could prove a bet worth waiting for. The Free Eagle gelding had tonight’s apprentice on his back when opening his account as a 20-1 shot at Lingfield and is getting better race by race.
