Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing taking place at Southwell, Lingfield Park and Sandown.
Southwell Best Bets
Race 1: DOUBLE REFLECTION (2)
Trainer: Mike Appleby
Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
Switching to Fibresand after an eye-catching effort on Polytrack earlier in the week, DOUBLE REFLECTION should prove hard to beat in this opener. He finished strongly to take second behind Double Martini at Chelmsford which was a clear signal his winning turn is near.
Race 3: RODIN (3)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
The experience card can be played effectively by RODIN here, with the likely market leader taken to make it third time lucky after a couple of near-misses. His trainer has a good line into Harbour Point through Iron Heart who has worked with the selection, leaving Sur Mer as the one for the exacta.
Race 6: LOVE YOUR WORK (9)
Trainer: Tim FitzGerald
Jockey: Dougie Costello
With a pronounced liking for this surface LOVE YOUR WORK takes the eye stepping up to a mile. The selection wasn’t stopping when landing some good bets on Wednesday and connections are understandably keen to strike while the iron’s hot.
Lingfield Park Best Bets
Race 1: ESTRELA STAR (2)
Trainer: Ali Stronge
Jockey: Kieren O’Neill
Although the 2018 winner of this race Master Burbidge is entitled to a deal of respect, I doubt he will have the firepower to halt the impressive winning sequence of ESTRELA STAR who can complete a hat-trick. The selection scored with any amount in hand at Chelmsford on Tuesday and unless that race has left its mark another success is on the cards.
Race 3: AMBER ISLAND (3)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: Adam Kirby
The potent combination of Appleby and Kirby can strike with AMBER ISLAND who had strong juvenile form for Godolphin before disappointing in Avery warm fillies’ race at Newmarket when she was over the top. She’s trained enthusiastically for this return to the fray and handicap debut.
Race 3: CILL ANNA (4)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
CILL ANNA has found her form with a vengeance and can complete a fine hat-trick in this mares’ novices’ hurdle. She was most impressive when taking the scalp of Miss Honey Ryder at Wincanton and looked like a horse with plenty more to offer.
Race 4: RATHLIN ROSE (1) (Each Way)
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Mr Guy Disney
Veteran RATHLIN ROSE is a piece of the furniture here and in an open race can turn back the clock. The 2017 winner of this esteemed Royal Artillery Gold Cup isn’t quite the same force but signalled with an earning run at Plumpton last month that he could still be competitive in a race he’s been trained specifically towards.
Race 6: HORATIO HORNBLOWER (8)
Trainer: Nick Williams
Jockey: Chester Williams
The veteran HORATIO HORNBLOWER has found a new lease on life this winter and when departing late in the game over course and distance last month might have gone close to landing a hat-trick. He’s been given time to get over that uncharacteristic blip, will enjoy the ground and can bounce back.
