Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Market Rasen, Taunton and Wolverhampton on 7 February 2023.
MARKET RASEN
Race 1 No2 CALIDAD
Trainer: Harry Whittington- Jockey: Bradley Roberts
CALIDAD appears to have shed a tendency to tear off in front and burn himself out. The seven-year-old has earned over fences and hurdles and when second at Hereford last time put in a career best since joining Longsdon. He has a good pilot doing the steering and today could be his day.
Race 2 No5 TIGHTENYOURBELTS
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
TIGHTENYOURBELTS is one of two cracking prospects on view at this meeting. A good jumper and strong traveller for whom hurdling is merely a passing phase towards chasing, he made the smart TIMEFORATUNE fight for the spoils at Taunton and as that was only his second ever run over hurdles there should be a lot more to come. Whatever happens today he’s a horse to have in your notebook, and to follow.
Race 5 No1 AFRICAN DANCE
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Fergus Gregory
An enforced absence of 14 months might not hinder AFRICAN DANCE continuing his progression. He was returning from a break when scoring on his debut over fences at Ayr, and with so few miles under his bonnet is capable of making up for lost time and delivering on this first run in a handicap.
Race 6 No1 QUEENS GAMBLE (Nap)
Trainer: Oliver Sherwood – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Burke thinks QUEENS GAMBLE is the fastest bumper horse he’s ever ridden – quite a compliment from a man that has partnered several Grade 1 horses in that division. The unbeaten Getaway mare has been forced to miss a couple of intended engagements owing to the bad weather, but on her first start since November can confirm her high status by completing a hat-trick.
TAUNTON
Race 4 No5 PASSING REFLECTION
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
PASSING REFLECTION is beautifully bred for jumping, and although meeting a rival that beat her last time is weighted to turn the tables. She has over four lengths to find with the penalised Hidden Beauty on Doncaster running last month, but as that was her first run over hurdles there should be plenty more to come.
Race 5 No URABAMBA (Each Way)
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott- Jockey: Ben Godfrey
URABAMBA looked like a horse running into form when beaten by Letsbe Avenue here before Christmas. While there was a good margin between them at the finish, it was only the selection’s second outing over fences. Urabamba is going to be at least double the price of his foe, and rates a value bet to take his revenge.
Race 6 No1 PLEASANT MAN
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Adrian Heskin
As long as his run at Exeter last week hasn’t left it’s mark, PLEASANT MAN should open his account for the champion trainer. The five-year-old was having just a fourth career start and first in a handicap, and only failed by a short head to repel Gingerbred. He faces a dangerous rival in the equally lightly-raced Clay, but should deliver.
Race 7 No5 ISSA D’AIRY (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Jamie Moore
ISSA D’AIRY landed an on course gamble at Lingfield where he was in total control from early in the home straight. He looked very good value for his margin of victory, and a 7lb penalty is unlikely to impair his progression. He’s one that needs to be taken very seriously.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 6 No1 STAR OF MAYO (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Joshua Bryan
Three-year-old handicaps are never the easiest to unravel and even though this is a good example, STAR OF MAYO should score on handicap bow. By top US stallion Bobby’s Kitten he landed some good bets in a Lingfield novice and in spite of being burdened with joint top weight looks the one to be with.
Race 7 No6 BIT HARSH
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
The Chelmsford triumphs that put BIT HARSH on the verge of completing a hat-trick were interspersed by over a year. Unless the so-called bounce factor intervenes, the gelded son of Australia has a good chance to continue his sequence, with Spiritofthenorth one to include in exotics.
