Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing at Hexham, Fontwell, Newcastle and Warwick.
Hexham Best Bet
Race 2: HEY BOB (3)
Trainer: Chris Grant
Jockey: Tom Dowson
The strong travelling HEY BOB absolutely hacked up at Sedgefield last month, going well clear when his jockey gave him the office approaching the final flight. He’s higher in the weights but most of his foes are out of form. If he handles this track which is stiffer he can follow up.
Fontwell Best Bets
Race 2: SENSULANO (4)
Trainer: Noel Williams
Jockey: Leighton Aspell
While respect is afforded to the bold jumping Midnight Tune, the superior fitness of SENSULANO could tip the scales in his favour. She travelled and jumped well on that chasing bow to chase home Poker Play, and the run should have brought her to concert pitch. She’s closely handicapped with Midnight Tune but that one hasn’t run for nine months.
Race 5: TIMCODA (3)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
A breathing operation in the summer appears to have benefitted TIMCODA based on her comeback run against Onurbike at Uttoxeter where she was beaten jus threequarters of a length. She had a good blow afterwards suggesting she will come on a fair way for the outing.
Newcastle Best Bets
Race 1: TANGLED (6)
Trainer: Karen Tutty
Jockey: Gemma Tutty
The lightly-raced TANGLED put in his best effort since switching stables when narrowly beaten by Fennaan in an identical race here last month. The hooded gelding appreciated the move from grass and can consolidate on this Tapeta surface which appears to bring out the best in him.
Race 3: SOCIETY GUEST (6)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Ben Curtis
SOCIETY GUEST is a 14 race maiden but the visored filly has run well on Tapeta and Polytrack and in what looks a match against Royal Dynasty can finally open her account.
Warwick Best Bets
Race 2: CAPAC (2)
Trainer: Tom Lacey
Jockey: Alan Johns
Bringing unbridled potential to the table in this novices’ hurdle, CAPAC can maintain his unbeaten record, having scored impressively on his debut in a Taunton bumper in the spring. He landed some good bets on that occasion and is reported to have schooled well for this switch to jumping. His stable has made an encouraging start to the season.
Race 3: THOMAS DARBY (3)
Trainer: Olly Murphy
Jockey: Richard Johnson
Bizarrely Murphy has two down to run in this novices’ chase but the one to be on is THOMAS DARBY. The gelding put in a number of excellent efforts over timber last winter, culminating in a second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He’s been well tutored for this switch to fences and can put down an early marker on his way to the Arkle.
Race 5: BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH (7)
Trainer: Paul Webber
Jockey: Tom O’Brien
BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH has plenty going for him in this staying handicap chase and looks nailed on to be in the shake up if handling the easy conditions. After narrowly missing out on his final two starts last season he came back to run Ballymalin to a length at Worcester. He’s shown an aptitude for these fences before, and would be a popular local winner.
