Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Chepstow, Catterick Bridge, Lingfield Park, Dundalk and Newcastle.
CHEPSTOW
Race 1 No2 GRUMPY CHARLEY
Trainer: Chris Honour – Jockey: Bryan Carver
GRUMPY CHARLEY represents a trainer doing well with his small West Country string. The Shirocco gelding had taken on smart rivals such as Adrimel and Good Ball before opening his account over jumps at this course, where he looked good value for his margin of victory. As that was only his third start for the stable there should be more to come.
Race 2 No10 COLONEL KEATING (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Rowe – Jockey: Niall Houlihan
This course should prove ideal for COLONEL KEATING to utilise his sound jumping and liking for very testing conditions. He’s been worried out of back-to-back races at Lingfield late in the game, but if able to lead into the home straight may prove hard to get past and rates a strong each way proposition.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 5 No2 BARRICHELLO (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
This maiden hurdle looks set to be dominated by Ripper Roo and BARRICHELLO but preference is for the latter, who has recent experience of this tight track and will handle the easy conditions. Furthermore his trainer is enjoying a bountiful time with his novices.
Race 6 No8 ZEE MAN
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Fergus Gregory
It was only a humble contest that ZEE MAN picked up on his first outing for ten months at Fakenham, but there’s more to the win than meets the eye. Importantly it was also the gelding’s first run for his trainer, who has clearly improved him, and if turning up in similar mood can handle a 7lb rise in the ratings.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No7 ACCOMPLICE
Trainer: Michael Blanshard – Jockey: David Probert
ACCOMPLICE is a five times winner here who at the age of seven is performing better than ever. She always needs a bit of luck in running and a strong pace to aim at but could find herself chasing a few of these into the home straight which is just what she wants to maximise her finishing kick.
Race 3 No6 BIRD FOR LIFE
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Charlie Bennett
The value play in a tight looking handicap is BIRD FOR LIFE. The Delegator mare has been under the grip of the assessor since gaining back-to-back wins in the summer but signaled with an earning run here last time that she’s ready to bounce back.
Race 4 No8 NODSASGOODASAWINK
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Bottom weight NODSASGOODASAWINK could prove a surprise packet in this sprint handicap even though failing to menace at Wolverhampton last time. Key to her chance is that her trainer pulls her back to the minimum distance over which she put in a career-best at Beverley last autumn.
Race 6 No2 GREYSTOKE (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Apart from having to break from the outside gate, GREYSTOKE has every other box ticked in this and rates the best bet on the card. The son of Sixties Icon enjoyed a select juvenile campaign and showed more than enough with placed efforts at this course and Goodwood to suggest he can soon shed his maiden tag. Furthermore, he’s trained well on an all-weather surface at home.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No1 VIVE LA DIFFERENCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: James Sullivan
Track specialist VIVE LA DIFFERENCE needs one of his best displays to take out a fourth Gosforth Park triumph under top weight, but the omens are good. His win here in December was followed by a poor showing that came too soon, while he’s not been in his element going to Southwell the last twice. Back in his comfort zone, he can earn.
DUNDALK
Race 1 No8 HODD’S GIRL
Trainer: Michael Halford – Jockey: Adam Farragher
HODD’S GIRL embarks on a hat-trick mission of a career high mark of 65 but such has been the recent progression of the Zebedee filly that she might not be ready to stop. She’s at the right end of the handicap for a fast improving sprinter.
Race 4 No2 BLACKSTONE CLIFF
Trainer: John McConnell – Jockey: Emmet McNamara
With most of his form coming on the Polytrack BLACKSTONE CLIFF will be hard to beat for a stable that’s going well. The Canford Cliffs gelding has taken home a cheque on all but two of his visits here, and after chasing the shadow of Chateau Musar can now bring his best game back to the table.
Race 5 No3 DREAM ROUND
Trainer: John McConnell – Jockey: Sam Ewing
DREAM ROUND would be a deserving winner of this fillies’ maiden. The daughter of Gleneagles ran well on Polytrack when trained in England and after needing her first run for her new trainer, stepped up to get into the shake up behind Illusory here last time.
Race 6 No4 DEVIL’S OUTLAW
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Declan McDonagh
On breeding alone DEVIL’S OUTLAW takes the biscuit. His dam was a Group 3 winner, and as a son of the emergent War Front he needs to get his head in front. Based on his defeat by an inch by Visualisation here last month he’s a winner waiting to happen.
