16/02/2022 – Wednesday’s Racing Tips

Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s British meetings at Hererford, Wetherby and Kempton Park, on 16/02/2022.

HEREFORD – 16/02/2022

Race 5 No4 COQUELICOT
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball – Jockey: Rex Dingle

Emmpressive Lady did us a favour when a well supported scorer at Exeter on Sunday, but under a 7lb penalty could be vulnerable to the progressive COQUELICOT. The selection receives a full stone from her rival, and though returning from more than 100 days off holds solid claims, having bolted up under today’s jockey at Chepstow in November.

Race 6 No8 I SPY A DIVA (Each Way)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass

From a stable that is running into better form, I SPY A DIVA can open her account under Rules in this first run in a handicap. She chased home a good yardstick in Good Luck Charm when last seen early in the New Year and if building on that looks booked for another big earning run.

Race 7 No4 SHOMEN UCHI (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch

Thomas must always be respected with runners at his local course and SHOMEN UCHI should prove a bet worth waiting for in the nightcap. The Great Pretender gelding went down narrowly on his Wincanton introduction, and has shown in his subsequent work that he’s ready to go one better.

WETHERBY – 16/02/2022

Race 2 No5 UNCLE ALASTAIR
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Brian Hughes

While Erne River is going to take some stopping, the one capable of doing just that is UNCLE ALASTAIR. The ten-year-old is not straightforward and makes only sporadic visits to the race track, but with that low mileage comes a high chance of further progression. He was up against an in form foe when making Papa Tango Charly pull out all the stops on a first outing following wind surgery at Carlisle in December, and if able to go forward from that first run in ten months can open his account.

Race 3 No3 UP FOR PAROLE (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

UP FOR PAROLE finds himself in calmer waters than the Listed Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in which he finished just out of the money. The six-year-old had impressed at Haydock after returning to hurdles from a brief flirtation with fences, and with his favoured cut in the ground can return to winning ways.

Race 5 No7 TIMELESS BEAUTY (Each Way)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Adrian Heskin

TIMELESS BEAUTY got bogged down in holding underfoot conditions at Lingfield last month when wearing first time cheek pieces. With the headgear now removed and a tongue strap added, the mare can bounce back to the level of form that had previously seen her put in three very pleasing efforts over fences.

KEMPTON PARK – 16/02/2022

Race 1 No12 TAKE A STAND
Trainer: James Tate – Jockey: Jack Mitchell

While a market check is advised on newcomer Hello Sydney, preference is for the horse drawn alongside him TAKE A STAND, who looks sure to improve on an eye taking first foray onto the track when third over course and distance last month.

Race 4 No5 UNFORGIVING MINUTE (Each Way)
Trainer: Sean Curran – Jockey: Grace McEntee

After back-to-back earning runs, UNFORGIVING MINUTE should now be cherry ripe to return to the winner’s circle. The veteran made Poetic Force fight for the spoils at Lingfield two weeks ago, and though recently more effective at that course and Wolverhampton can now return to the form that saw him land a fine hat-trick here in 2014 !

Race 8 No3 HOLD FAST (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Harry Davies

Although she is ridden by an inexperienced apprentice, HOLD FAST is the one to be on in the nightcap. Indeed, Davies clicked with the mare when bringing her home to a runaway triumph over course and distance earlier in the month, and a carbon copy display is more likely than not.