Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Fakenham and Wolverhampton on 16 February 2024.
FAKENHAM
Race 1 – GOOD TIME AHEAD 6/4
GOOD TIEM AHEAD found success by attempting a course and distance handicap hurdle during November before mixed form both jumping and on the flat. Is a serious player if finding his best form.
Triple Nickle has Harry Cobden in the seat and hold claims after placing third at Kempton two outings back on the flat contesting a 2m handicap.
Canal Rocks has shown ability over hurdles in recent years and is now second up after an absence and is of interest along with Mi Sueno.
Race 3 – PATRIOTIK 9/2
PATRIOTIK makes his rules debut in the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
He changed hands for £58,000 at the end of last month after winning a Ballycrystal point to point by 20 lengths, so he should certainly be fit for action on his debut for Evan Williams.
Race 5 – HERMES LE GRIS 1/1
HERMES LE GRIS was a seven-length winner last week among this handicap hurdle company at Huntingdon over 2m4f and is a top selection.
Mistymal showed plenty of ability at Southwell a month ago finishing second tackling a similar level 2m4f handicap hurdle.
The six-year-old is back up in trip and should be thereabouts in a bid to land a first win since April 2023.
For Gina has been going well. Secured a course and distance novices handicap hurdle success by 11 lengths preceding a Plumpton fourth, so is worth including.
Race 7 – FARLAND 4/6
The Paul Nicholls-trained FARLAND showed promise at Aintree when second in a 2m1f jumpers flat race on soft ground Boxing Day, and has a top chance with Cobden in the saddle.
Secret Des Dieux is worth a market check making rules debut and could play a role representing notable trainer.
Similar comments can be applied to Wiltshire Wonder who delivers first racecourse appearance.
Kissogram might make the frame when resuming.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 – ALAFDHAL 15/8
ALAFDHAL looks to have plenty of scope in terms of ratings in the second division of the Build Your Acca With BetUK Handicap.
He won off a perch of 59 on his latest start but given he triumphed off 72 just over a year ago, there is plenty of wriggle room for Phil McEntee’s charge.
Race 4 – ALRAZEEN 23/20
ALRAZEEN is the choice in the BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Restricted Novice Stakes.
A 100/1 outsider on debut, he belied those odds to finish fourth and was a much skinnier price at the second time of asking, sent off an 11/10 chance.
He duly proved too sharp for the race favourite, although he was getting 15lb, powering home by a length and a half and looking reasonably good value in the process.
Alrazeen still lacked a bit of experience in the finish and should be capable of making another leap forward.
Race 6 – WADACRE GOMEZ 7/2
WADACRE GOMEZ has rarely run a bad race this winter and can keep up the good work in the Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Handicap.
The Brazen Beau colt has been running pretty regularly since making his racecourse bow last February, chalking up four wins along the way – most recently when triumphing at Chelmsford on his penultimate run at the start of this month.
Racing off a mark of 79 on that occasion, Wadacre Gomez put behind him a disappointing run in better company when winning by just short of two lengths over 10 furlongs at Chelmsford.
He kept on well after making all – posting a career best in the process – and again showed a good attitude when narrowly failing to defy a subsequent 5lb penalty when second over the same course and distance he faces here.
Wadacre Gomez was technically 1lb wrong that day and is 2lb well in this time, a factor which is a definite positive for his chances.
Race 9 – BERKSHIRE PHANTOM 3/1
Fitting of blinkers has sparked a revival from BERKSHIRE PHANTOM in recent outings.
The Fionn Mcsharry trained gelding battled on strongly to complete a double here attempting seven furlongs ten days ago and can land a hat-trick with the Tommie Jakes claim negating a penalty.
Green Power went close over course and distance before scoring at Kempton. A further 2.2lb rise in weights might leave him in contention from a nice draw.
Lingfield runner-up Fox Power also commands respect along with English Spirit.
