Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing taking place at Kempton Park, Bangor-On-Dee, Southwell and Chelmsford.
Kempton Park Best Bets
Race 1: FAIR KATE (4)
Trainer: Tom Lacey
Jockey: Stan Sheppard
This is a big weekend for the Lacey stable and there are loads to like about FAIR KATE in this opener. Her early career promise is starting to manifest itself in winning form, as she demonstrated when gaining a narrow but cosy success at Newbury in December. She has bags of scope for more progression, with a top conditional rider booked.
Race 2: ON TO VICTORY (8)
Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Tom Cannon
This is a race ON TO VICTORY has the ability to win, getting 6lb from the previous winners in the field. A former smart performer on the Flat, he ran a cracker in a warm Newbury novice hurdle in December when third to Mister Coffey. While the latter hasn’t managed to boost the form or remains a most encouraging effort and this better ground will also be a boon.
Race 5: WICKED WILLY (9) (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: J Nailor
In a competitive handicap chase there’s going to be abundant value in WICKED WILLY who is yet to rediscover his form in three outings this season. While not exactly thrown in, he ran far better than his finishing position suggests at Ludlow before Christmas and is worth chancing to cause an upset.
Bangor-On-Dee Best Bets
Race 5: STONIFIC (1)
Trainer: David O’Meara
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Former useful Flat operator STONIFIC showed ability in three outings before taking a fall when looking to be full of running at Newcastle. While there were three hurdles to negotiate the gelding seemed poised for victory. Now handicapping, he finds himself with top weight against some experienced foes but should be good enough.
Race 6: STRATAGEM (8)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Mr David Maxwell
STRATAGEM enters the fray with plenty to recommend him, having been an impressive winner of his only start in France at Auteuil before being purchased for a hefty sum by his pioneering owner/rider. He’s shown plenty of promise in his preparation for this and can convert at the first time of asking.
Race 7: GETABAY (4)
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
The Limerick form of GETABAY at Christmas reads particularly well and I doubt this improving operator has travelled from Ireland just for the goodness of his health. The form was franked when the winner finished third in a strongly contested Grade 2 bumper at Leopardstown.
Race 3: THUNDEROAD (5)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: Shane Kelly
The blinkered THUNDEROAD is up in grade but down in distance for this maiden handicap and looks a slightly safer option than Fox Shinji. He’s posted a number of earning runs, hails from an in form stable and should be in the thick of things at the finish.
Race 5: PADDLEYOUROWNCANOE (5)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Rob Hornby
PADDLEYOUROWNCANOE successfully returned to the Flat when carrying our vote at Lingfield a fortnight ago. He was in control turning for home and looked good value for his margin of victory. This longer trip will not bother him, while he should handle the deeper Fibresand surface.
Chelmsford Best Bets
Race 8: UNDER CURFEW (1)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: David Probert
Although his recent form is in maidens, UNDER CURFEW finds himself with top weight in this second division of the sprint handicap. Nevertheless, he has been backed on a couple of occasions and I fancy connections will try to recoup last month’s losses as he steps up a furlong from a plum draw.
