Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Leicester, Catterick Bridge and Southwell on 27 February 2024.
LEICESTER
Race 5 No1 BENNYS KING
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Mr Sean O’Connor
BENNYS KING has been around the block a few times and concedes age to each of his foes, but after a couple of earning performances should again make his presence felt in the first of two hunter-chases. The 13-year-old can benefit from a move into this division, with a new pilot doing the steering.
Race 6 No3 ISKANDAR PECOS (Nap)
Trainer: Hannah Roach – Jockey: Mr Huw Edwards
It’s hard to look past ISKANDAR PECOS who aside from having very good form in points ran a cracker on his Rules debut when beaten half a length by Spyglass Hill at Haydock. That form is very solid in the context of today’s assignment and makes him a worthy favourite.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 3 No2 CHASE A FORTUNE (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Tom Midgley
CHASE A FORTUNE troubled the judge with a very good run over hurdles here on New Year’s Day, and now switches to fences on the back of a breathing operation. He’s always promised to make his mark as a chaser, and at a track where he recorded his only career success is worth supporting.
Race 4 No4 ISHOLO DU VIVIEN
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Stay If U Want To was an eye-taking winner of a Market Rasen bumper, but with solid hurdling form to his name ISHOLO DI VIVIEN can have his measure. The selection chased home multiple scorer The Gypsy Davey at Hereford having also placed when easy to back on his only other hurdling start at Kelso. With Hughes back in his saddle he should have more to give.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No3 FLICKERING HALO
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
Majed will be a warm order on his seasonal reappearance for John Gosden but if there’s one to cause him problems it could be FLICKERING HALO. The Dark Angel colt has earned on both outings since joining his trainer from Ireland and went down in a blanket finish when very easy to back here last month. He rates a danger to the favourite in receipt of 9lb.
Race 5 No3 TEES GEORGE
Trainer: Adrian Nicholls – Jockey: Paddy Mathers
TEES GEORGE ended the 2023 campaign on a winning note and signalled he means to carry on from where he left off when claiming a minor cheque at Newcastle earlier in the month. He has a plum draw for this race around a left-handed bend and looks the one to beat.
Race 7 No3 TRUSTY SCOUT (Nap)
Trainer: Derek Shaw – Jockey: Cam Hardie
Having troubled the judge in all but one of his five outings this year, TRUSTY SCOUT can deservedly open his 2024 account. The Gleneagles gelding faces a couple of lively recent winners in Velvet Vulcan and Barbarosa, but if repeating the level, of form shown last time should make a bold bid.
Race 8 No1 BRISTOL HILL (Each Way)
Trainer: Kevin Frost – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Top weight BRISTOL HILL looked like a horse running nicely into form when on a third outing of the year he claimed a cheque at Newcastle. His trainer has engaged former champion jockey Murphy for the mount, and the combination can land the spoils at the expense of Prince Hector.
