Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Meydan, Warwick, Exeter, Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton on 24 February 2023.
MEYDAN
Race 4 Jumeirah Fillies Guineas
No7 MAWJ (Nap)
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
MAWJ has an advantage over her rivals in bringing winning form from England and at this track to the table. The Exceed And Excel filly climaxed her juvenile season with a success in the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket, finished fourth in the Lowther at York and third in the Cheveley Park Stakes back at HQ. She gamely delivered on UAE debut on a first attempt at seven furlongs, and should be even more effective now upped to a mile.
Race 5 Balanchine (Group 2)
No1 WITH THE MOONLIGHT
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
The race run in memory of Godolphin’s first Classic winner can stay with the ‘Boys In Blue’ through WITH THE MOONLIGHT. The daughter of Frankel impressed in taking out the Cape Verdi three weeks ago and has a style of racing that indicates she will be even better at this longer trip. Aside from her newly acquired barnmate Tranquil Lady, there’s surely nothing capable of troubling her.
Race 6 Jumeirah Derby
No6 ONE NATION
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
This looks a carbon copy of the Balanchine, with Godolphin set to dominate. ONE NATION had most of his foes in his wake when chasing home Naval Power in the Jumeirah Classic. The Dubawi gelding is drawn to attack, and having proved he gets a mile and a quarter can repel the attentions of Highbank.
WARWICK
Race 1 No1 NICKELSONTHEDIME (Nap)
Trainer: Kayleigh Woollacott – Jockey: Mr Freddie Gordon
With a good amateur doing the steering, NICKELSONTHEDIME can put his best foot forward to post a first success since the spring. He gave off a clear signal that he’s on the cusp of a return to winning ways when third to Lily Glitters at Hereford, and this race looks weaker.
Race 2 No13 KING’S THRESHOLD
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
With few miles on his racing clock KING’S THRESHOLD should give a good account on just a second outing over jumps. He wasn’t beaten far when third to Park This One at Uttoxeter, and has learned plenty from that experience.
Race 3 No9 PRECIOUS ELEANOR (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
Respect is given to the novice Bowtogreatness who has been ambitiously campaigned in his short chasing career. He’s a super jumper who will enjoy the fences that come close together down the back stretch, but in an open race there may be better value in PRECIOUS ELEANOR. The only mare in the field, she has run well in both starts at Sandown and Cheltenham and in races that were at least as good as this. It would be no surprise to see her give an equally good account and book her ticket for Cheltenham.
Race 7 No9 ROGUE QUEEN
Trainer: Harry Whittington- Jockey: Daryl Jacob
This stable has done well with its percentage of winners to runners, and while ROGUE QUEEN hasn’t been seen since her introduction at this course in early November she’s ready for a return to the fray and can endorse the promise shown by beating Omaha Wish and Fortune Forever.
EXETER
Race 4 No6 GAZETTE BOURGEOISE
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Bryan Carver
Several of the races on this card have cut up owing to the drying ground. The featured Devon National has attracted an amount the executive will be relieved about, with a handful of top West Country stables represented. In spite of this, GAZETTE BOURGEOISE could be the one they all have to beat. Her middle England trainer supplied us with a winning Nap on Wednesday, and this ultra consistent seven-year-old deserves a change of luck after earning in each of four outings over fences.
Race 6 No5 KEABLE
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
KEABLE possesses in potential what he lacks in experience and on a first handicap assignment, and is a big eye taker for a stable nicely running into some form. The six-year-old can take the spoils for high profile owner Ronnie Bartlett, and pave the way for richer pickings later in the season.
Race 7 No3 HOUR STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
As it’s hard to get carried away with the form of the two in this bumper to have raced, HOUR STAR gets the vote by a process of elimination. The Dunaden gelding has shown promise in his work for the Tizzards, and can repel fellow newcomer All Guns Blazing.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 6 No2 LATIN VERSE (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
On what is a disappointing curtain-raising card to Winter Derby day on Saturday, LATIN VERSE is the only recommendation. The Postponed gelding is chasing the losses of a good run in defeat here, where after being backed he couldn’t shake off the attentions of Ermesinde. He’s strongly fancied to recoup those losses.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No11 LEXINGTON HERO (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
LEXINGTON HERO landed some good bets in a humble seller here and now faces a step up in class taking on another previous winner and several with form. He doesn’t have the best of draws, but granted how well he’s taken his exertions, his knowledge of the Dunstall Park track and the addition of a capable apprentice taking 7lb off his back, he needs to be taken seriously.
Race 4 No2 SUDDEN AMBUSH (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
SUDDEN AMBUSH took care of business just as he liked to open his account in a Lingfield novice. As the least experienced contender for this three-year-old only handicap and representing top connections, he should bring an end to Mint Edition’s impressive winning streak.
Race 6 No7 SEND IN THE CLOWNS
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Jonathan Fisher
SEND IN THE CLOWNS produced his best effort of the season when second at Chelmsford two weeks ago, a run that has brought him to the brink of success and this looks the right race for the six-year-old who will receive good assistance from the saddle.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
6, 2 x 11, 8 x 2 x 6, 2, 7 x 7, 5 x 3, 1, 6 x 2, 6, 1
R216
