Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from UK Racing at Mark Rasen and Sedgefield on Tuesday 4 February 2020.
Mark Rasen Best Bets
Race 1: THE MIGHTY DON (3)
Trainer: Nick Gifford
Jockey: Leighton Aspell
Taking a hefty class drop, THE MIGHTY DON can use this novice chase as a confidence boost after being very highly tried so far this season. He was last seen running well in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton where he fell at halfway. There’s nothing of the calibre of horse he met that day in opposition here.
Race 4: HOMETOWN BOY (2)
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds
Jockey: Cieren Gethings
While Hijack will be all the rage to complete a hat-trick, his double penalty could find him out against HOMETOWN BOY who has already shown a lik8ng for this course. The selection decisively opened his account over a slightly shorter trip after attracting plenty of support in the betting ring, while he showed no signs of stopping up the final hill.
Sedgefield Best Bets
Race 1: GO AS YOU PLEASE (7)
Trainer: Paul Webber
Jockey: Ritchie McLernon
GO AS YOU PLEASE showed a first glimpse of ability over hurdles when second to Galtee Mountain at Warwick and now steps up in distance in a weak race. His owner is not averse to a tilt at the ring and confidence in the 7yo will be enhanced if he shortens up.
Race 4: OURO BRANCO (1)
Trainer: Nigel Hawke
Jockey: David Noonan
OURO BRANCO came out of the wilderness to convert on his return from a lengthy absence at Catterick in an admittedly weak race. He quickly asserted when asked for his effort approaching the final first and has a dangerous look off what is a 6lb higher mark.
Race 5: BRIARDALE (1)
Trainer: James Bethell
Jockey: Brian Hughes
From a stable better known for its Flat horses, BRIARDALE has a fine chance to open his account over jumps in this maiden hurdle. A six-time winner on the level, he caught the eye finishing with a flourish on only his second hurdling start at Catterick last month and with further improvement should prevail.
