Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Sunday 1 March’s racing taking place at Huntingdon and Sedgefield.
Huntingdon Best Bets
Race 1: ISOLATE (8)
Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Tom Cannon
ISOLATE looks set to become a first winner for a syndicate headed by former jockey Noel Fehily. In spite of taking a keen hold and using up energy he kept on well to chase home Zoffee on his debut over hurdles at Doncaster. The winner is well regarded and Cheltenham-bound, so there was no disgrace in the defeat, one from which the selection will have learned a great deal.
Race 2: GO AS YOU PLEASE (140)Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
The JP McManus-owned GO AS YOU PLEASE has knocked on the door and deserves a change of luck. The key is a big jump up the distance ladder from two and a half miles to three miles and a furlong. On each of the occasions he’s finished second he’s stayed on well at the finish, boding well for the extra.
Race 7: FORTUNATE FRED (1)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
The one holding the cards is FORTUNATE FRED whose debut third over this course and distance reads well. The winner Third Time Lucki is a good yardstick by which to measure the strength of the form, and the 5yo should improve a bundle for the run.
Sedgefield Best Bets
Race 1: No1 OXWICH BAY
Trainer: Evan Williams
Jockey: Adam Wedge
Although an infrequent winner there’s no denying OXWICH BAY is on a very good mark over hurdles as compared to his chase mark. He’s been running well in better company, as was the case when he finished third to Demopolis at Ludlow and in these calmer waters he’ll be hard to beat.
Race 6: RARE CLOUDS (3) (Each Way)
Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Danny Cook
RARE CLOUDS hasn’t cut the mustard so far this season but remains a horse of potential. He found very little towards the end of his latest start at Doncaster but is better than that, and can get into the money in this weaker contest.
