Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Huntingdon, Sedgefield, Southwell and Newcastle on 23 February 2023.
HUNTINGDON
Race 3 No2 BLUE BEACH
Trainer: Melanie Rowley – Jockey: Alex Edwards
Kayf Tara mare BLUE BEACH was beaten by 19 lengths when third to Vicki Vale at Hereford to earn for the third time in as many starts under Rules. Her previous run when chasing home You Wear It Well at Worcester has been heavily boosted, and if refreshed from a mid-season break she’s going to be hard to beat.
Race 5 No1 TIP TOP MOUNTAIN
Trainer: Robert Walford – Jockey: Bryan Carver
TIP TOP MOUNTAIN goes to war off his highest mark but in view of his excellent record over fences can prove up to the task in hand. Two of his four chase triumphs have happened this season, while he came away with a valid excuse when beaten at Plumpton. The only time he finished out of the money was on chase debut, and he can post another big earn for his connections.
Race 6 No4 PRIDE OF HAWRIDGE (Nap)
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
As the least experienced runner in this handicap hurdle, PRIDE OF HAWRIDGE can convert as the best bet on the card. More than useful on the Flat, he troubled the judge on his mark-securing run last time and can do better now in a handicap in colours that have enjoyed prolific success in the West Country over the years.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 4 No6 HORN CAPE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Haslam – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
HORN CAPE never managed to attain the level hoped of him in Lambourn but is now with a different trainer. The grey earned in both starts earlier this year, and with his undoubted ability can go well if the change of scenery has benefitted him.
Race 6 No2 GANDHI MAKER (Nap)
Trainer: William Coltherd – Jockey: Ross Chapman
GANDHI MAKER pulled off a minor gamble when dropped back to the minimum trip at Newcastle. The seven-year-old finds himself in a race he could again dominate, and having been boosted by that first career win can consolidate.
Race 7 No3 BERTIE’S WISH
Trainer: Jennie Candlish – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
With a hood on his head for the first time, BERTIE’S WISH could prove the answer to this tight-knit handicap hurdle. His best performance over jumps came when landing a maiden hurdle over today’s course and distance, while he wasn’t beaten far when third to Sleeping Satellite at Carlisle. On only a fifth-ever run over jumps he could have more to offer.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No2 LIKE A LION
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
The blinkered LIKE A LION enjoys a good post to get competitive early in this race around almost a lap of the Southwell track. While it would be no surprise to see support for ex-Irish Dreams Delivered, Like A Lion can build on his near miss at Newcastle last week and put behind him a poor effort on his Bly previous visit here last autumn when he wasn’t used to the all-weather.
Race 4 No6 HICKORY (Nap)
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Justcallmepete and Eligible have both been in good form with combined successes of four from their last five outings. They will however make a stronger market for the unbeaten HICKORY to keep up the good work he’s put in for connections. The Free Eagle gelding was a popular order when completing a hat-trick at Kempton before Christmas, and should have benefitted from a break since that taking performance.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No6 FLASH BARDOT
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
FLASH BARDOT is no star, but the Sixties Icon filly has knocked on the door in both outings for her rookie trainer, most of whose early runners have earned. The fact that she enjoys a sex allowance as well as dropping back to seven furlongs could give the selection an edge over Shaw Park and Fade To Gray.
Race 7 No3 KRAKEN POWER (Nap)
Trainer: Jim Goldie – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
The strong travelling KRAKEN POWER landed back-to-back successes here last month after attracting support, and after failing to make it a hat-trick bounced back with the narrowest of defeats last week to show he’s ready to return to the party. Aikido and Nellie French will ensure he doesn’t have things all his own way.
