Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Carlisle, Lingfield Park and Southwell on 5 February 2024.
CARLISLE
Race 2 No3 GARDENER (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Fergus Gregory
GARDENER looked to have the race in the bag when making a horlicks of Newcastle’s penultimate fence but is none the worse for the spill. This looks a stronger race, with Doyen Du Bar in pursuit of a hat-trick, but the selection should have more to give.
Race 5 No6 PRETENDING
Trainer: Lucy Wadham – Jockey: Bryony Frost
PRETENDING looked to be travelling as well as anything on her latest start at Lingfield before running out of gas over the last couple of flights. She drops back on the distance ladder and can return to the from shown when she stylishly delivered at Sandown, whose still uphill finish is not unlike Carlisle’s.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No8 WHISTLEDOWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
West has done well with several acquisitions from the Channon stable, and looks to have secured another potential earner in WHISTLEDOWN. The mare made just three visits to the track in 2023 owing to training issues and now returns fresh from a winter break. The five-year-old can outrun her double-figure price.
Race 4 No7 ELEANOR CROSS (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The Winter Oaks proved a bridge too far for ELEANOR CROSS here last month, but the daughter of Pivotal now drops into a Class 4 novice. Her form stands out on these calmer waters, and she should take care of business.
Race 5 No7 SHALFA (Each Way)
Trainer: Lydia Richards – Jockey: Rab Havlin
SHALFA reacted positively to the addition of a visor to get the job done in cosy fashion over this course and distance a month ago. Replacing her usual blinkers, the new headgear is retained, and the chestnut can serve it up to top-weight Romilda, who represents top connections but still seeks to shed her maiden tag.
Race 6 No5 AMANCIO
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
AMANCIO was arguably unlucky not to win in his juvenile season, and begins the new campaign on a workable mark. The Sixties Icon gelding proved costly on his final two starts at Hamilton and Goodwood but should enjoy a return to the Polytrack and first visit to this course.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No7 QUERCINE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Harry Davies
With the benefit of cheek pieces, QUERCINE can prove the answer to this 1000-metre dash up the home straight. The Sogann filly did nothing wrong when finishing second at Wolverhampton in December and possibly has more scope for progression than Cast No Shadow.
Race 7 No2 I’M TOO TIRED (Each Way)
Trainer: Jenny Candlish – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
Dual purpose horse I’M TOO TIRED is fit from hurdling, having opened his account over jumps when last seen at Sedgefield last month. It was the sixth outing in as many races for his trainer that he’d troubled the judge, while it should have given him a confidence boost.
