Dual-purpose trainer Hughie Morrison usually has one of two jumping stars to supplement his talented flat horses at his Berkshire stables. In recent years, Not So Sleepy has been the flag-bearer for the yard over the winter months but he was retired, aged 12, after winning on the level at Newbury in September.
If Morrison has a successor to Not So Sleepy, it could come in the form of SECRET SQUIRREL and the five-year-old gelding looks nicely weighted off an official mark of just 126 in tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot (3.35 p.m.).
It’s a competitive event over the minimum trip in which Be Aware and Dysart Enos are at the head of the market on the back of their second and third respectively in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. The form of the Greatwood is usually rock solid and this year’s race, won by Burdett Road, looked strong too.
However, with four wins from nine starts and the profile of an improving horse, Secret Squirrel could surprise them both. He had a nice prep for this race when third at Ascot on his seasonal debut last month and jockey David Bass gets on well with him. Back him 2 points win at 6-1 with bet365 or William Hill.
In the Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (3 p.m.), Victtorino is going to take a lot of beating for the in-form trainer/jockey combination of Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch, especially as the horse has winning course and distance form over this three-mile trip. However, this six-year-old gelding was let down by his jumping on his seasonal debut in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last month, doing well to finish third given his early mistakes. Odds of 2-1 or less make no appeal so this eight-runner contest is simply a race to watch and enjoy.
Up at Haydock, where the ground is soft, the big race tomorrow is the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2.05 p.m.). Sadly, the first prize of £26,000 to the winner has only attracted a field of just nine runners.
Famous Bridge is going for back-to-back wins in the race and victory for him would be a boost for his trainer Nicky Richards, who has just returned home after a three-week stint in hospital following a nasty fall on his gallops. But, once again, Famous Bridge has been found in the market and odds of 3-1 make no appeal.
Laura Morgan’s PERCUSSION is an old favourite of mine and he loves the National fences at Aintree. Yes, this nine-year-old gelding was below his usual consistent best on his seasonal debut in the BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at the Liverpool course but he looked in need of the run that day.
Down to a mark of 125 and with a visor on for the first time to sharpen him up, this trip of just under three miles two furlongs will be ideal for him on the ground. With Brian Hughes booked for the ride, back him each way at 14-1 with most, but not all, bookmakers, paying three places.
We are a week away from my favourite handicap chase of the season: the Coral Welsh Grand National on December 27. I have already put up Monbeg Genius for this race each way at 20-1 and, if the ground, is soft or heavy, I will be going in again at single figure prices.
But, and it’s a big but, this annual contest, often run in a bog, could easily be run on good to soft or even good ground if the weather forecast is correct, with little or no rain after the weekend. The ground is currently described as soft but, if the forecast is right, it looks certain to dry out further before the off.
Most of the horses at the front of the market are confirmed soft-ground performers and so there could be a turn-up. One horse that has been left in the race at the various cut-off points in the hope of decent ground is Fergal O’Brien’s MANOTHEPEOPLE.
This nine-year-old gelding is much better on ground better than soft and, in fact, his handler told the Racing Post last month: ‘Better ground is important for him and I don’t think we’d run unless he got it. There’s been one Welsh National on decent ground in 20 years, so we’re hoping for another.’
Manofthepeople is a strong stayer and has two wins at Chepstow to his name which makes me think the 50-1 offered by bet365 and Unibet is far too big. Back the horse each way, four places, and then hope the weathermen are right. If the 50-1 goes quickly, take the 33-1 each way with most other bookmakers.
A merry Christmas to all readers and I will be back a week today when there is plenty of first-class racing that day in Britain and Ireland.
Pending:
1 point each way Percussion at 14-1 in the Tommy Whittle Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
2 points win Secret Squirrel at 6-1 in the Ladbrokes Hurdle.
1 point each way Monbeg Genius at 20-1 for the Welsh Grand National, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Manothepeople at 50-1 for the Welsh Grand National, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places.
Last weekend: – 5 points
1 point way Madara at 8-1 for the December Gold Cup, paying ¼ odds, 4 places. 2nd. + 1 point.
1 point way Grandeur d’Ame at 9-1 for the December Gold Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. Unplaced – 2 points
1 point way Gaboriot at 5-1 for the bet365 Handicap Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. Unpalced. – 2 points.
1 point way Endless Escape at 12-1 for the BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2024-5 jump season running total: – 20.3 points.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023-4 jump season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jump season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
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