Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s British racing coming your way from Nottingham, Chepstow, Fakenham and Kempton Park on 26/10/2022.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 5 No8 HIGH OPINION (Nap)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Harrison Shaw
From a stable that broke a long sequence of near misses with a double at Redcar on Monday, HIGH OPINION gets weight from his mainly older foes and with only four outings under his belt is the least experienced in the field, with most room for progression. Narrowly denied over this course and distance last time, he can go one better.
Race 7 No9 SELF INFLICTED SID
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rob Hornby
SELF INFLICTED SID shaped well when taking home a minor cheque on his debut at Ascot. Beaten just over three lengths by Cadmus, he is out of a Hernando mare and should greatly benefit from the easier conditions he faces today. Furthermore he is sure to progress from that needed first foray onto the racecourse.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No8 TIMEFORATUNE (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
TIMEFORATUNE had an unblemished sequence of three bumper successes thwarted at Newbury back in February but came back with excuses. He wasn’t seen again and has been given plenty of time to develop and mature. He’s schooled well over hurdles at home, and can make a winning start in this new discipline for his top connections.
Race 3 No13 UNCLE ARTHUR
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The Worcester success of UNCLE ARTHUR in early June was a step up on his promising debut at that course and prompted his trainer to put him out to grass for the summer. He’s come back stronger both physically and mentally and may have too much for the vaunted newcomer Beau Balko at this stage.
Race 5 No2 PLAYFUL SAINT
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
PLAYFUL SAINT ran well on his only start for French legend Guillaume Macaire at Fontainebleau before joining the Skeltons and gamely taking out a handicap hurdle in a tight finish with Albert’s Back. He’s worked well ahead of this return to the track, and while his stable had yet to get into gear, he can give them a timely winner.
FAKENHAM
Race 1 No10 MILLDAM (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Snowden couldn’t stop saddling winner through October, and in MILLDAM has another bright chance to add to his laurels. The grey earned in each of his first three outings in France and was thrown into the deep end when out of the money in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. That move indicates how highly he’s regarded, and now in calmer waters can open his account under Rules.
Race 6 No7 PRIDE OF NEPAL (Each Way)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Lorcan Williams
With three wins and four places in eight races on the Flat this year, PRIDE OF NEPAL appears to have taken his form onto a new platform. And while he didn’t show much in three outings over jumps at the start of the season, they served to get him a rating, which he can exploit on this handicap bow.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No1 HICKORY (Nap)
Trainer: a James Fanshawe- Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
HICKORY impressed on his only start at Yarmouth before training issues forced him onto the sidelines. The Free Eagle gelding returns from a more than two-year absence, but if close to full fitness should outclass his foes and remain unbeaten.
Race 4 No7 LELABAD
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Neil Callan
LELABAD has a good draw from which to further strengthen his run of consistency, one that following seven frame finishes resulted in a deserved success at Chelmsford which has boosted his confidence. He’s in a good place to build, at the main expense of another recent scorer, Fawn At Play.
Race 7 No12 PERFECT MYTH (Each Way)
Trainer: Stuart Kittow – Jockey: Ross Coakley
PERFECT MYTH has twice gone close since returning from an enforced break for a new trainer. He had to draw stumps with her in mid-July, but after another time out which involved a breathing operation she can gain a first success in almost two years.
