Neil Morrice provides tips for Thursday’s British race meetings at Wincanton, Kelso, Soutwell and Chelmsford City on 03/02/2022.
WINCANTON – 03/02/2022
Race 5 No1 HONNEUR D’AJONC
Trainer: Jane Williams – Jockey: Chester Williams
HONNEUR D’AJONC has to shoulder a double penalty in this first leg of the novices’ hurdle but should be up to the task in hand. He numbers three successes in similar races since joining his trainer and has narrowly missed out in his only other two outings, making him pretty well bombproof in the consistency stakes.
Race 6 No1 FRERE D’ARMES (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
FRERE D’ARMES ran into the useful Balco Coastal when second on debut for the Skeltons at Ludlow before making no mistake with a clear cut triumph at Huntingdon next time. He has untapped potential, and is another that can make light of his penalty.
KELSO – 03/02/2022
Race 2 No7 ULTRA VIOLET
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
Sea The Moon blending ULTRA VIOLET earned on his first two starts after arriving from France where he was a dual jumps winner in the provinces. He might have made an impression but for falling on his switch to handicaps last time. He’s been given a month to recover from that uncharacteristic slip, and can open his account here.
Race 5 No4 RIVER MEADOW (Each Way)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
Drying ground saw RIVER MEADOW taken out of his race at Newcastle on Tuesday, but the terrain should be suitable for this unexposed individual today. He needs to improve off his quiet debut run at Ayr, but he was well, supported that day to suggest he’d been showing ability at home, and could easily raise his game for the win.
Race 6 No1 ELVIS MAIL (Nap)
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Bruce Lynn
ELVIS MAIL seems to be enjoying life back over hurdles. The track specialist put in his best run of the season when second to Stainsby Girl in a handicap over course and distance last month, and is now primed to open his 2022 account.
SOUTHWELL -03/02/2022
Race 2 No11 SOI DAO (Each Way)
SOI DAO showed ability when 50-1 for her introduction at Lingfield. She has a good draw in this second career outing, and makes plenty of appeal for an earning run with improvement guaranteed.
Race 8 No1 MAHARASHTRA (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Billy Garritty
The late maturing MAHARASHTRA has been a fine servant to his connections with three conversions from four starts since last autumn. With the same apprentice that rode him to a course and distance success last time in the plate, he has a fine chance to complete a hat-trick and remain unbeaten here.
CHELMSFORD CITY – 03/02/2022
Race 3 No1 ZARAYNI
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Tom Marquand
ZARZYNI made the very smart Tommy De Vito fight for the spoils over this course and distance at the end of January. It was a second good earning effort in as many visits to this Tapetasurface, and with Marquand an eye taking booking the top weight can go one better.
Race 5 No3 SHERDIL
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
A first time visor can do the trick and enable SHERDIL to convert in this weak novice stakes. The Dandy Man gelding has a speed-fuelled pedigree and has trained well on an artificial surface at home ahead of this first outing on sand.
Race 6 No7 COPAKE
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Marquand
COPAKE troubled the judge on his introduction to this course after a first success for his trainer at Wolverhampton. He seems happier over today’s mile and a quarter trip, and with a similar effort should again get into the shake-up.
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