Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Warwick, Exeter, Sedgefield, Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton on 23 February 2024.
WARWICK (abandoned)
Race 1 No7 PIPERS CROSS
Trainer: Robbie Llewellyn – Jockey: Mr C Johnstone-Baker
PIPERS CROSS has done nothing wrong in three successive defeats and deserves a change of luck for her new connections. She’s never been better, and can with a first success gain compensation for her narrow defeat at Leicester.
Race 2 No5 TEDLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
TEDLEY comes with risks attached as he looked all over the winner on his latest start at Ffos Las only to have a think on the run-in against Willsburg. The return of Sam Twiston-Davies to his saddle could make a difference, as it will need to do if he’s to thwart recent scorer Ballybentragh.
Race 6 No5 PORTOBELLO ROAD
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Twiston-Davies has a handful of chances and PORTOBELLO GIRL is definitely amongst them. The Clovis Du Berlais mare was easy to back but in picking up a minor cheque shaped with promise on her Wincanton introduction. She will be more streetwise for this distaffers’ contest and can prove too strong for Geturguccion.
EXETER
Race 1 No1 TOP OF THE BILL (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
The best bet of the day is TOP OF THE BILL, who can make it a third straight success on his fourth visit to this course this season. A tendency to jump out to the left has not prevented the Nap from completely dominating his last two races in which he’s come home unchallenged. His connections have played the right card in keeping him in the place where he is happiest.
Race 4 No5 SPIRITS BAY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
SPIRITS BAY should make no mistake if in anything like the form he’s been in two outings this season. The dual bumper scorer chased home the classy Southoftheborder on hurdles debut at Sandown, and would have been placed but for a final flight fall in the Cheltenham contest won by Dysart Enos. He’s one of the best prospects at Grange Farm, and his task will be made even more straightforward if Ten Lengths Tom takes up an alternative engagement at Warwick.
Race 7 No1 BILL JOYCE
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Mr Anthony O’Neill
BILL JOYCE can get the better of Joyau Allen in another race that looks like a straight match. The selection made an eye-taking Rules introduction at Warwick, when after dominating the market he did the same in the race. Winner of his only run in a point when based in Ireland, he looks a bright prospect and is one to follow.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 3 No2 WHOLEOFTHEMOON (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
WHOLEOFTHEMOON appeals as the only bet on this card. His two efforts at Doncaster in December entailed a win and a second and showed that he’s happier operating in the handicap arena, as he does again today.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No3 GOLDSMITH
Trainer: Alice Haynes – Jockey: Kieran O’Neill
GOLDSMITH proved a costly favourite here last week but is taken to bounce back. He probably found the trip further than ideal and should be happier now cutting back to a mile from a good centre gate draw.
Race 5 No2 BIG NARSTIE (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
BIG NARSTIE takes figures of 21232 for 2024 into battle and looks the one to beat in this low-grade handicap. He ran into a tartar in the shape of Strictly Dreaming at Wolverhampton last week, and not too much should be read into the fact that the winner underwhelmed at Newcastle on Tuesday.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No2 SWORDSTICK (Nap)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Harry Davies
SWORDSTICK can prevail in a match with the other winner in the field, Silent Age. The Zoffany colt beat Mon Etoile in a close finish on debut at Southwell, and at the respective prices offers value against the Godolphin-owned and odds-on Silent Age.
Race 7 No2 AMANCIO
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
AMANCIO looked unlucky when running keenly and finding his late swoop wasn’t quite enough on his seasonal return and all-weather debut at Lingfield. This track should prove more suitable for the Sixties Icon gelding, who has been in great form at home.
