Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Southwell, Musselburgh and Kempton Park on 18 February 2024.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No3 NOCHE NEGRA (Nap)
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Lewis Dobb
NOCHE NEGRA looked a horse well ahead of his mark when storming home at Catterick. The close relative of top-class Nube Negra should make it back-to-back successes from this 8lb higher mark.
Race 5 No2 SEA GREY
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Theo Gillard
SEA GREY will not make us rich, but it’s hard to see past the favourite in this novices’ hurdle. The Ulysses gelding was untroubled to open his account at Catterick, and though raised 7lb is meeting mainly out-of-form rivals, while his stable is running into form.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 3 No7 VALLEYVIEW TOMMY
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
Providing he can cope with a longer trip, VALLEYVIEW TOMMY can open his account under Rules. He picked up minor cheques at Kelso and this track and looks the type that can do well now switched to handicaps.
Race 7 No4 ALL WAYS AND EVER
Trainer: Victor Thompson – Jockey: C P O’Shea
Zoffany mare ALL WAYS AND EVER has few miles on her racing clock as her attention is switched to handicaps on just a second outing for her trainer. The former Irish-based mare belied her 25-1 odds to finish second in a Hexham novice hurdle, and if building on that good effort should get into the shake-up.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No11 SCRAMBLE
Trainer: Conrad Allen – Jockey: Jack Gilligan
Allen is enjoying a hot streak with his all-weather team and SCRAMBLE deserves a second look in this sprint around a right-handed bend. The Havana Gold filly took a long time to open her account, but having done so over this course and distance can now consolidate.
Race 5 No6 ROMAN EMPEROR
Trainer: John Ryan – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
The consistent ROMAN EMPEROR engages in a rematch with Photosynthesis who beat him at Lingfield a fortnight ago. Slightly better off at the weights, my selection can return to winning ways, whilst also staving off the attentions of Media Shooter.
Race 7 No3 KING’S CODE (Nap)
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
KING’S CODE tries to back up a gutsy triumph at Southwell under the leading all-weather rider. He’s 3lb higher in the weights but has a far better draw than market rival King’s Vanity and looks the best bet on the card.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
11, 9 x 9, 3, 5 x 4 x 6, 2, 7 x 12, 4, 2 x 3, 5 x 4, 1
R216
