Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s British meetings at Sandown Park Leicester, Fontwell Park and Chelsmford City on 17/02/2022.
SANDOWN PARK – 17/02/2022
Race 3 No5 SPEECH BUBBLE (Nap)
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
SPEECH BUBBLE gets the chance to show she’s a Graded class mare in this feature on an interesting card, and can do just that. The seven-year-old landed some good bets with a stylish success in a Newbury novices’ hurdle last month, from which she has learned much. She’s up against high class foes in Nina The Terrier and the unbeaten Love Envoi, but has at least as much room for progression as that pair.
Race 4 No3 HOGAN’S HEIGHT
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Cpt Will Kellard
Only four go to post for the historic Royal Artillery Gold Cup but HOGAN’S HEIGHT will be the punters’ preferred choice granted his scope for progression now assisted by cheek pieces. The headgear was instrumental in him claiming a first success in over three years at Ludlow last month, and that’s the best form on offer.
Race 5 No1 HIDOR DE BERSY
Trainer: Tom Symonds – Jockey: Tom Scudamore
While burdened with a penalty for his Fakenham win, HIDOR DE BERSY holds the cards for a follow-up triumph in this novices’ hurdle. Winner of a Market Rasen bumper on debut last March, he’s looked assured in each of his three outings over jumps, and should have more to offer.
Race 6 No4 POPPA POUTINE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
POPPA POUNTINE was a dual scorer in handicap hurdles before switching to fences this season. He’s been in the deep end, but his paper thin defeat at Wincanton last time indicates he’s now got a handle on this side of the jumps equation, and is in a good place to go one better on a track that puts the emphasis firmly on jumping.
Race 7 No4 ESSENTIAL JACO
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Jamie Moore
ESSENTIAL JACO is a rangy individual who looks sure the benefit from the switch to a galloping track after running into a couple of smart rivals on his latest starts at Plumpton and Wincanton. If his rider can get him organised he can get the better of another progressive candidate, Contemplatemyfate.
LEICESTER – 17/02/2022
Race 6 No3 DRAKES WELL (Nap)
Trainer: Fred Hutsby – Jockey: Miss A Stevens
On a tricky card the Nap goes to DRAKES WELL who looks the type to do well in hunter-chases. The nine-year-old never failed to claim a cheque in nine outings for his former handler, and now represents a veteran trainer that has excelled with his hunters on the Midlands circuit for many years.
FONTWELL PARK – 17/02/2022
Race 2 No7 PILSDON PEN
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Rex Dingle
The one that could show most improvement in this handicap hurdle is PILSDON PEN. The selection had shown nothing before popping up at 80-1 on handicap debut at Wincanton. In order to show that was no fluke he can go back-to-back at the main expense of C’Est Quelqu’un.
Race 3 No5 GALTEE MOUNTAIN
Trainer: Pat Murphy – Jockey: Page Fuller
Consistency is the strong suit of GALTEE MOUNTAIN, who gained a deserved first conversion of the campaign over course and distance last month following five consecutive frame finishes over fences. Also a winner over hurdles round this figure-of-eight circuit, he goes to post with his tail up, and should be able to defy his revised mark.
Race 4 No3 POLDARK CROSS (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Adrian Heskin
Drying ground caught out POLDARK CROSS when he was pulled up at Uttoxeter last time. Not only was the ground drying, but it became holding and he couldn’t get his hooves out of it. For the second time in three outings over fences he attracted plenty of market support, and connections will be keen to see him display his true merits under different conditions here.
CHELMSFORD CITY – 17/02/2022
Race 4 No1 HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (Nap)
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Jason Hart
Three times Group placed HIGHFIELD PRINCESS stands head and shoulders above her foes on the book and should make this a silk smooth triumph on her 2022 return and on the way to better things.
Race 5 No8 TRIBUTO
Trainer: Stuart Williams – Jockey: Marco Ghiani
With a recent Wolverhampton victory under his belt, TRIBUTO can now post a first win on Polytrack. The Dragon Pulse gelding unseated his pilot on the first of two previous visits here, but then went close to shedding his maiden, and he’s improved with each outing this winter.
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