Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Musselburgh, Wetherby, and Wolverhampton on 1 February 2025.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 4 VORGIN BET SCILLY ISLES NOVICES’ CHASE ( Grade 2)
No1 HANDSTANDS (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
Having had the misfortune to lose through injury The Jukebox Man for the rest of the season, Pauling can gain consolation through HANDSTANDS in this traditional Cheltenham Festival trial. The Nap was beaten on his first run over fences but has in landing his next two at this course and Ffos Las looked the top prospect his trainer has always regarded him, and there should be more to come.
Race 5 No12 GAYE LEGACY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Symonds – Jockey: Benjamin Poste
This is a ferociously competitive handicap hurdle, but at the foot of the weights GAYE LEGACY could represent win and place value at a big double figure price. Hailing from a family that included Champion Hurdle winner Gaye Brief and top staying hurdler Gaye Chance, she carries the colours of Scarlet Knipe who is sister of the late Mercy Rimell, trainer of those great stalwarts. The mare proved wonderfully consistent in scoring twice and placing on four other occasions last season, has shown she can go well fresh, and can get into the shake-up.
Race 6 No9 EDEN DU HOUX (Each Way)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
Pipe has excelled with his long distance handicap chasers and though EDEN DU HOUX hasn’t won for a while he can prosper off bottom weight in this three mile handicap chase. Injury curtailed his progress last season, but a pleasing effort to make the frame at Chepstow over Christmas has been backed up by a wind operation. Should that have assisted his breathing the veteran can have a big say in this.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No3 FLORIDA DREAMS (Each Way)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
All credit to the racecourse executive for hosting a fixture that replicates some of the races at the Cheltenham Festival. In its version of the Country Hurdle, FLORIDA DREAMS can get onto the podium. He’s responded well to being fitted with cheek pieces and has that element of class that can help him prevent AFADIL from repeating his victory in the same race in 2024.
Race 3 No10 THE KALOOKI KID (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McManamin
Although he’s inexperienced over fences there’s much to like about THE KALOOKI KID, who could prove a blot on the handicap. The seven-year-old impressively opened his chasing account on his second outing over fences at Doncaster and has been given a nice mid season break in order to freshen him up for some big targets ahead. He could be a perfect type for the Grand Annual Challenge Cup at Cheltenham next month.
Race 4 No5 SMOKERINTHEDARK
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
SMOKERINTHEDARK is the least experienced in this field but don’t let that worry you. He’s done well since opening his account on Rules debut here, while the horse he beat has gone on to boost the value of the form. He can take the spoils at the main expense of INTENSE APPROACH.
Race 6 No7 MOONSHINE MAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Knight saddles two in this interesting race but MOONSHINE MAN is surely her number one. While barely out of the novice stage, he’s shown an affinity for jumping and ran well for a long way in a warm novice at Kempton on Boxing Day. This similarly easy track should suit him.
WETHERBY
Race 1 No2 METKAYINA
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
The progressive METKAYINA caused a minor upset when downing Diva Luna at Lingfield before running creditably in a better race at Taunton. Now in calmer waters, she holds strong claims and can return to winning ways.
Race 3 No8 LUD’OR (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Symonds – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
LUD’OR has acquitted himself well in three earning runs since joining his in form trainer from France. He meets a potentially dangerous foe in winning pointer Pragnell who is well worth a market check, but should prove goood enough.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No4 METALLO (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
METALLO had the misfortune to run into a handicap snip but nevertheless put in a doughty effort on his latest start at Newcastle. He’s showing a penchant for the all-weather, and is in great form for this match up with hat-trick seeker King’s Code.
Race 6 No9 SAIDHA
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Tyler Heard
SAIDHA made a decent foe fight for the spoils in an improved performance at Lingfield. The Circus Maximus filly has improved from race to race, and has a good chance to open her account.
