Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from UK Racing at Kempton Park, Lingfield, and Catterick.
Kempton Park Best Bets
Race 2: SONGO (10)
Trainer: Milton Harris
Jockey: Finley Marsh
SONGO is a most interesting candidate for this, having shown good form in Germany with two wins and a third from as many starts for Christian Von Der Recke where he went off favourite on each occasion. He then made the perfect start for Milton Harris last week, powering home over a slightly shorter distance here and looking better the further he travelled. With his scope for further improvement, he can consolidate.
Race 3: BE FAIR (3)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: Tom Marquand
BE FAIR looked a tad unlucky when blowing the start at Lingfield last month and is worth supporting to regain the winning thread. He impressed when scoring on his first outing of the year which followed another successful effort on his final start of 2019. Given the ground he made up to grab third in Brooklyn Bay’s race he needs following.
Race 5: BERLIN TANGO (2)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Owner George Strawbridge hit the target in a big race on Saudi Cup day and his BERLIN TANGO can provide the icing on that cake by landing this trial for the Kentucky Derby. I’m not sure the American Campbell’s Soup heir will be looking to go to Louisville with the colt, but having done well through the winter he is one to follow on this side of the Pond.
Lingfield Best Bets
Race 4: ACCOMPLICE (11) (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Blanshard
Jockey: David Probert
ACCOMPLICE regularly starts as a roughie but that shouldn’t deter anyone looking for a big run from the mare off bottom weight in this low grade handicap. From her berth on the rail she will need to play a waiting game, but if getting luck in running in the short home straight she could spring a surprise. She was a shade unlucky on her first run of the year at Chelmsford when getting squeezed for room on three occasions before staying on for third.
Race 5: LION TOWER (5)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Franny Norton
Johnston sets a poser by saddling Desert Safari and LION TOWER for this cracking handicap, filled with in form horses. While Desert Safari will come on his first run back at Newcastle, Lion Tower is in terrific form, having shown a liking for Fibresand with a dominant display last month. He has the benefit of the rail and if breaking well can prove hard to catch.
Catterick Best Bets
Race 3: ZOUTOISE (9)
Trainer: Tom George
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
This mares’ novice hurdle looks between Ilaya and ZOUTOISE and the latter gets the vote. Her trainer usually means business when sending horses here from his Gloucestershire base and everything points to his 5yo open8ng her account, as she got to within a length and a quarter of the useful Getariver when last seen back in November and receives almost a stone from her rival.
Race 7: ANYTHINGFORLOVE (2)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Jockey: Page Fuller
ANYTHINGFORLOVE made the perfect start to his career when converting on his Uttoxeter introduction and on that evidence is the one to beat in the concluding bumper. He got the job done in an efficient manner and should remain unbeaten.
