Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Dundalk, Kempton Park, Lingfield, Nottingham, and Musselburgh.
DUNDALK
Race 3: No8 – EDIYVA (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Halford – Jockey: D O’Connor
Kingman filly EDIYVA progressed in three starts in the autumn to run the very decent Haifa to two and a quarter lengths at Tipperary. That horse now has a rating of 85, and if Ediyva delivers a similar showing it should enable her to take out this apprentice maiden. She will receive good handling and can outpoint Quiet Place and Zahee.
Race 5: No13 – OVERTAKE
Trainer: Michael Halford – Jockey: Ronan Whelan
OVERTAKE’s last two runs stamp him as a winner waiting to happen and the Outstrip gelding can help make it a good day for the Halford stable. His first hint of ability came when he finished fourth in an apprentice handicap at the Curragh, which was backed up by a narrow defeat by Jackmel over this course and distance. The first time cheekpieces he sported that day are retained.
Race 6: No6 – CHAGALL (Each Way)
Trainer: Edward Lynam – Jockey: M Enright
The ultra-consistent CHAGALL will struggle to beat Kinch on the book, but the selection has subsequently run a cracker to go down by just a short-head to Legal Thriller while his rival marked time. With recent figures of 101332, the four-year-old is an attractive each-way proposition.
Race 7: No3 – IRISH POSEIDON
Trainer: Matthew Smith – Jockey: Sam Ewing
The former German-based IRISH POSEIDON makes a great deal of sense on debut for a yard that is amongst the winners. Before relocating the gelding didn’t know how to run a bad race, has winning form at this distance, and has shown a liking for the all-weather. He receives a first-time tongue-tie today, which could make him even more effective.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3: No7 – ROMANTIC SONG
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
By Shamardal out of a Street Cry mare, ROMANTIC SONG is well drawn for a winning effort on this second career start. She troubled the judge on debut at Newmarket but is bred to enjoy an artificial surface, and shown an aptitude for it at home.
Race 4: No2 – FABRIZIO
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Godolphin also has a fine chance of taking out the nursery with FABRIZIO, a blue-blooded son of Frankel out of a Dubawi mare. The selection just missed the frame on debut but stepped up on that promising run to chase home Fundamental at Chelmsford, a performance that sets him aside as the one to beat.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3: No2 – DE VEGAS KID (Each Way)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Charles Bishop
This stable is running into a bit of form and so is DE VEGAS KID, who stepped up on previous efforts this year to finish third to Lequinto at Wolverhampton. The Brighton specialist has a good draw that gives his rider options and should reward each-way support.
Race 4: No7 – BRUNEL’S BOY
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
BRUNEL’S BOY has been unlucky not to win by now and should be afforded the chance to put the record straight. He breaks from the rail which makes getting a clean stalls exit essential, but if achieving that has a good chance to earn. He is equipped with first-time cheekpieces and went well in them on Monday.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 1: No6 – MRS FITZHERBERT
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
A beautifully-bred filly by Kingman out of a Dynaformer mare, MRS FITZHERBERT has valuable experience of this track, having finished in the money behind Noon Star last month. She was easy to back with not a lot expected of her, but that eye taking run is there to be improved on and has made her more streetwise.
Race 4: No1 – LOCAL LAW
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
There’s very little weight differential amongst those at the top of the handicap in this nursery, with LOCAL LAW narrowly preferred to Gordonstoun. The son of Dubawi is a twice beaten favourite from as many starts but looked to improve for a switch to Polytrack when second to Uncle Bryan at Kempton.
Race 5: No5 – MAIN FACT
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Ben Curtis
MAIN FACT has reaped a rich harvest taking advantage of his lower Flat handicap mark and rates the bet of the day to complete a hat-trick. He was a multiple winning hurdler last winter and is going to be interesting to follow when his trainer switches him back to jumps.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 1: No6 – LONG STAY
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
LONG STAY landed some good bets when taking out a Newton Abbot bumper on his Rules debut and has been well prepared for the switch to hurdles. The long-distance traveller faces some equally promising foes that include Bareback Jack and Lord Torranaga but should deliver.
Race 7: No1 – THE BEES KNEES
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Max Kendrick
THE BEES KNEES has taken home a cheque in each of his three runs in novice hurdles, latterly scoring at Newton Abbot. This stablemate of Long Stay responded well to the addition of a tongue strap to get the job done, and can follow-up.
