Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday's racing coming your way from Market Rasen, Taunton and Wolverhampton.
Market Rasen Best Bets
Race 1: FALBERTO (3)
Trainer: Sam Thomas - Jockey: Jordan Nailor
FALBERTO is proving a good servant to connections in the basement end of the racing spectrum, and can confirm his Ludlow superiority over Guildhall. In that claiming hurdle he beat his rival by ten lengths and on previous start in a Leicester seller gave Paricolor a good race to show he’s too good not to pay his way at this level.
Race 4: TRINCOMALEE (4) (Nap)
Trainer: Lucy Wadham - Jockey: Brian Hughes
Hughes is an eye taking booking for TRINCOMALEE in this novices’ limited handicap chase. The selection hasn’t jumped fences as well as he jumped hurdles in three attempts so far, but if brushing up in that department is on a mark to cash in.
Race 5: COOL DESTINATION (1)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien - Jockey: Paddy Brennan
The featured Lincolnshire National can go to top weight COOL DESTINATION, a strong stayer who has been in good form with two wins and a second from as many outings this season. The chestnut has taken a hike in the ratings since his first of those successes at Bangor in the summer, but is versatile regarding ability to handle the ground and has more going for him than most. Course winner Red Giant is one to include in all exotics in the best betting race on the card.
Taunton Best Bets
Race 2: WIGHTMAN (10) (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon - Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
Named after former trainer Bill Wightman, WIGHTMAN started an unconsidered 50-1 for his jumps debut at Newbury but was not disgraced in finishing in midfield behind Goodbye Stranger. He never raced over further than an extended mile on the Flat, but if learning to settle can make his mark as a hurdler.
Race 4: LITTLE RED LION (4)
Trainer: David Pipe - Jockey: Fergus Gillard
LITTLE RED LION displayed gritty determination to get the job done at Lingfield, getting the better by half a length of Colonel Keating with the pair finishing clear. His form in four starts since a wind operation has been much improved, while his trainer excels with this type of individual who has few miles on his racing clock.
Race 5: TALKING ABOUT YOU (4) (Nap)
Trainer: Sean Curran - Jockey: Harry Bannister
From humble beginnings, hat-trick seeker TALKING ABOUT YOU is proving a real money-spinner for her new connections. The daughter of Sixties Icon hasn’t looked back since being sent jumping, winning three hurdles and finishing in the money in her five other starts under this racing code. In taking out a Listed hurdle at Aintree she was never in danger, and has to be respected in this similar race.
Wolverhampton Best Bets
Race 1: OWNEY MADDEN (6)
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam - Jockey: Cieren Fallon
OWNEY MADDEN makes his debut for Jane Chapple-Hyam in this 0-95 handicap on the Tapeta surface. The gelding has a good draw three off the rail in the six furlongs sprint round a bend and Cieren Fallon, who partnered him at York last year, is booked to ride.
There’s a ring of consistency about blinkered top weight TOP BREEZE whose form figures of 223324 suggest he’s likely to put in another earning run for trainer Richard Hughes. He scored over five furlongs here in the autumn of 2018 and been in the money on each of his two subsequent visits.
Two recent scorers with their eyes on this prize are ZAPPER CLASS and LOMU.
The Mike Appleby-trained Zapper Class spends most of his racing life on the all-weather circuit, and with wins over this course and distance and on the Fibresand at Southwell has his tail up. He seems equally effective over both sprint distances and needs respecting off his revised mark.
Lomu came good for David Loughnane with a decisive triumph over the minimum at Newcastle. His previous successes for a different trainer were also gained over five furlongs at this course, and there’s a suspicion he’s not as effective over six on the Tapeta.
DIAMOND DOUGAL has enjoyed a mixed bag of fortune since moving to Robert Cowell at last year’s Horses In Training Sales. The gelding delivered in a first-time visor over course and distance last month, only to finish last of five with the headgear retained at Chelmsford. It’s therefore difficult to know what to expect from him, but he has the ability if in the mood.
ASTRO JAKK gained back-to-back wins at Newcastle after three successes at Southwell between the spring of 2019 and now. He was again in the money when fourth in his hat-trick bid here a fortnight ago, and should again get into the shake-up.
Another with a knack of taking home a cheque is SECOND COLLECTION. It will be interesting to see how Tony Carroll’s Delegator filly fares on her return from a near four-month absence, and first all-weather outing since June.
Race 1: OWNEY MADDEN (6) (Each Way)
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam - Jockey: Cieren Fallon
On debut for this stable OWNEY MADDEN needs respecting as a tasty each way proposition. His two successes on the Flat came at Grade 1 courses and he’s reunited with a jockey who steered him into the money in a competitive contest at York in the summer. For a hold-up horse he has a perfect draw three off the fence, and can swoop to conquer in the short home straight.
Race 4: DECONSO (10) (Each Way)
Trainer: Chris Kellet - Jockey: Callum Shepherd
DECONSO will need luck in running from his wide draw, but with three successive earning runs behind him has given a strong hint that he’s ready to post a first success for 15 months. He responded positively to first-time blinkers on his latest start over this course and distance, and can get into the shake-up if enjoying the rub of the green.
Race 5: STEELRIVER (1) (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington - Jockey: Tom Eaves
Course specialist STEELRIVER finished fourth in a good race and from a 1lb higher mark here last time. It’s more than six months since he completed a hat-trick over today’s course and distance in which time his racing has been confined to Dunstall Park. He knows every grain of sand on the sprint course here, and if close enough in the short straight, can claim them at the business end.
