Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Bangor-on-dee, Southwell, Kempton Park, Chelmsford City and Meydan on 10 February 2023.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 1 No4 MISTER WHITAKER (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Mr Jack Andrews
Former Cheltenham Festival winner MISTER WHITAKER is not the force of old but should prove too sprightly for his foes as he moves into the hunter-chase arena. This is his first run for more than 300 days, but fitness will not be an issue. Furthermore, he receives a handy 8lb from his only serious rival Secret Investor.
Race 6 No2 HORACIO APPLE’S
Trainer: Oliver Greenall – Jockey: Henry Brooke
Stamina looks to be the forte of HORACIO APPLE’S judging by the way he asserted on handicap debut at Ayr. He takes another step up the distance ladder here, and should defy his new mark. Bamford keeps rattling the woodwork and looks the one for the exacta.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No6 WOODSTOCK (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
Sixties Icon colt WOODSTOCK has shown promise at home ahead of this first run. He will be better for the experience, but could pick up a cheque if those with previous public form fail to show up.
Race 5 No3 BAZALGETTE (Each Way)
Trainer: Stella Barclay – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
BAZALGETTE hasn’t been without his problems, but with earning runs in a couple of outings for his trainer looks like a lively outsider for this low grade handicap. The grey attracted plenty of support at Wolverhampton last time and can recoup those losses.
Race 8 No4 EM JAY KAY (Nap)
Trainer: Phil McEntee – Jockey: Josephine Gordon
EM JAY KAY knows how to earn better than most, and after a cosy course and distance triumph last week can now add to his laurels. His figures of 3234-32121 tell their own story, and he should add to his good record at this track.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 No1 DORKING LAD (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Caolin Quinn
DORKING LAD is a very smart operator on easy, right-handed tracks as he demonstrated in coming home 16 lengths clear of The Edgar Wallace over course and distance in November. With the luxury of his rider’s 5lb claim he has strong claims to make this a fourth success from his last 7 outings over fences.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No8 LAOCH GACH LA
Trainer: Stella Barclay – Jockey: Miss Nicol’s Thornton
LAOCH GACH LA has shown improved form on his last two starts at Newcastle, being narrowly denied there under the same apprentice doing the steering this evening. The grey makes his first visit to Chelmsford, and if handling the Polytrack as well as he does Tapeta has good prospects of an overdue first career triumph.
Race 5 No2 PHOENIX GLOW (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
In six 2022 outings PHOENIX GLOW never started under 18-1 until her final race at Kempton which ended up being an underwhelming performance. The Bungle Inthejungle filly has done well since that outing in early November, and is in a good spot to give Jack Channon a first winner as a trainer.
MEYDAN
Race 5 BLUE POINT SPRINT (Group 2)
No8 MAN OF PROMISE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
No surprise to see Godolphin with a stranglehold on the betting for a race it would dearly love to win, with LAZULI and MAN OF PROMISE dominating. Lazuli made a perfect start to the season here in a Listed race last month but finds himself in gate 1 which is not as comfortable as his barnmate’s gate 5 slot. Man Of Promise has proved costly to follow in back-to-back Listed races here, starting favourite against Lazuli on reappearance and then being rolled over at 1-2 by Coachello two weeks ago.
That however was over 1200 metres and although William Buick has elected to stay with Lazuli, Man Of Promise can turn the tables. LOGO HUNTER is one that could improve on its first run of the year through which he is closely matched with ACKLAM EXPRESS. Churchill filly LADIES CHURCH had an in and out season last year but looks a potential joker in the pack.
Prediction: 1st MAN OF PROMISE, 2nd Lazuli, 3rd Ladies Church, 4th Logo Hunter, 5th Acklam Express
Race 6 UAE 2000 GUINEAS (Group 3)
No6 SHIRL’S BEE
Trainer: Doug Watson – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
The draw has been kind to SHIRL’S BEE, who could hardly have been more impressive when scoring on debut over 1400 metres in December. He’s been hiding his light under a bushel waiting for this first Classic of 2023 and if he’s as good as his trainer thinks he is should have too much for paper favourite TIGER NATION to handle.
The latter enjoyed a plum draw on the rail when taking out the trial for this but is now gated on the outside. It seems his jockey might have to ask him some early questions, which could impair what he has left for the finish. MORNING has work to do with Tiger Nation but could improve on that and get into the money, while TALL BOY is also capable of claiming a minor cheque.
Prediction: 1st SHIRL’S BEE, 2nd Tiger Nation, 3rd Morning, 4th Tall Boy
