Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s British meetings at Doncaster, Ludlow, Newcastle and Kempton Park on 23/02/2022.
DONCASTER – 23/02/2022
Race 1 No3 GALAHAD THREEPWOOD
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
Sales purchase GALAHAD THREEPWOOD has always promised to transfer his good Flat form to jumps, and now gets the chance to show it. The dual Lingfield all-weather scorer has schooled well since his arrival at the Pauling stable, and should give a good account.
Race 4 No3 BLACK OP (Nap)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
One time Gold Cup hope BLACK OP has faced daunting tasks in his two outings this season at Aintree but now enjoys a class drop. He should be refreshed from a short break, and with this galloping course likely to play to his strengths he can make this a first triumph in the veteran chase arena.
Race 6 No3 SOLDIER OF LOVE
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Mr Will Biddick
If there are holes in recent winners Dolphin Square and Jett, SOLDIER OF LOVE can exploit them. Though beaten on merit by Myth Buster when reappearing at Musselburgh, he is worth siding with to recapture his outstanding 2020 form in handicap chases.
LUDLOW – 23/02/2022
Race 3 No4 MR GREY SKY
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
The one that looks to be improving quickest in this handicap hurdle is MR GREY SKY. The eight-year-old landed a first success since his bumper days at Leicester and should have more to offer from his revised mark, and with his stable running into a bit of form.
Race 4 No1 SLATE HOUSE (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Mr Freddie Gingell
Strong travelling SLATE HOUSE looked an assured winner on latest start at Taunton before running out of puff between the last two fences. His accurate jumping soon had his rivals off the bridle, and if staging a repeat he could be hard to peg back. A market check is advised on one of the roughies Road To Rome, but the veteran needs to prove his fitness for a new trainer after exactly a year off.
Race 5 No6 LOUNGE LIZARD (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
Cafe Pushkin looked unlucky when pipped at Fontwell and can have a say, but the one to be on is locally-trained LOUNGE LIZARD. The selection has yet to finish out of the money, and following those four earning efforts can put his head in front with first time cheek,pieces in this first handicap assignment.
NEWCASTLE – 23/02/2022
Race 2 No7 FIGURES
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
FIGURES put in an eye taking first effort when beating all but Second Pockets at Wolverhampton and with the benefit of that outing under her belt has a great chance of opening her account . She can do so at the main expense of Greek Flame.
Race 6 No1 ANTHEM NATIONAL (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
ANTHEM NATIONAL lost out in a three horse blanket finish on his introduction here at the start of the month. The Dark Angel colt should come on in leaps and bounds for that initial offering, and a more streetwise version today can prevail.
KEMPTON PARK – 23/02/2022
Race 2 No1 THAPA VC (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Rimell – Jockey: Rob Hornby
THAPA VC has been a well supported winner of back-to-back races at Wolverhampton and now seeks a first success on Polytrack. He’s climbed the ratings, but remains a lightly-raced improver that should have more to give.
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