Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Ffos Las, Lingfield Park and Newcastle on 1 March 2024.
NEWBURY
Race 1 No10 SOLDIEROFTHESTORM
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jack Hogan
SOLDIEROFTHESTORM was an authoritative scorer at Hereford on return from a mid-season break. He landed some good bets for a stable whose horses appear to be running into form for Cheltenham, and can make it back-to-back successes in this conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle.
Race 4 No6 PATANITA (Each Way)
Trainer: G Nicholls – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
PATANITA was a well-backed winner of his only start under Rules in a Stratford bumper more than a year ago. He’s not easy to weigh up but needs to be taken seriously in this clash with penalised winners Ballybentragh and Tods Of A Coun.
Race 6 No3 MAN AT WORK
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Harry Cobden
MAN AT WORK is another returning from an enforced absence who requires a check in the betting. Breathing issues have been ironed out by a wind operation, while the selection is also equipped with a tongue strap. A winner of his first of only two outings over jumps, his chance is enhanced by having Cobden in the saddle, as the jockey has a good record on his rides out of Pond House.
FFOS LAS
Race 1 No5 FOLLOWANGO
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Isabel Williams
FOLLOWANGO was denied in a desperate finish at Lingfield to maintain her good record under Rules. The mare can bounce back at her local track, and stave off the challenge of Broughshane.
Race 4 No4 FORTUNEFAVORSDBOLD (Each Way)
Trainer: Christian Williams – Jockey: Jack Tudor
FORTUNEFAVORSDBOLD came out of the wilderness in first-time cheek pieces to provide a timely success for her trainer at Huntingdon. It was effectively her first run over fences, and there should be more to come.
Race 5 No4 WEAVERS ANSWER (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Vaughan – Jockey: Alan Johns
WEAVERS ANSWER did us a good turn when bolting up at Plumpton on Monday and is out to strike while the iron’s hot under a 7lb penalty. The grey looked to have at least that much in hand, and rates the best bet on this interesting card.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No4 BYSTANDER (Nap)
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Brandon Wilkie
This is a tough race to call but there’s plenty to recommend BYSTANDER on only a fourth career start and first in a handicap. There’s been a stack of support for him on both starts for his trainer, resulting in a wide-margin triumph and a costly defeat at Newcastle. Beaten as a 2-13 shot last time, he has questions to answer but my guess is he’s not making the long journey south from North Yorkshire just for the goodness of his health.
Race 2 No5 SHADES OF SUMMER
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam – Jockey: Laura Pearson
Hat-trick-seeking SHADES OF SUMMER has developed a good rapport with her jockey that can contribute to another course and distance success for the combination. It can happen at the main expense of the equally in-form Cloud Cover, whose chances will increase if she consents to settle.
Race 5 No8 SPARTAN ARMY
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
SPARTAN ARMY powered home at Southwell last week to make it two from two since his switch to the all-weather. With go-to Jockey Ryan back in the saddle this lightly-raced individual can complete a fine hat-trick.
Race 7 No8 DINGLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Adam Farragher
Several go into battle in good form including Dear My Friend, King’s Code and McLean House, but there may be more value in DINGLE who is himself a dual scorer at Gosforth Park. The six-year-old is thriving for his current trainer, and can take the spoils in the colours of popular owner Martin Hughes.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No12 EXPLORERS WAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Ben Robinson
This is a tough card for wagering, but EXPLORERS WAY is in the form of his life and looks ready to further showcase that well-being on a step up in grade and from the base of the handicap. He can complete a hat-trick at the main expense of Asgard’s Captain.
Race 3 No5 STREAK LIGHTNING (Nap)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Joanna Mason
The flashy STREAK LIGHTNING habitually runs best when fresh, and looks the pick of this field on a first outing since the autumn. All but one of his four successes on sand have happened at this track, while he can enjoy extra assistance from Mason jumping back into his saddle.
Race 4 No1 AUGUST (Each Way)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Oisin Orr
AUGUST can play the experience card to good effect and return to novice company. Although well beaten in a couple of handicaps, the selection ran well here against Bystander in December and that horse should provide a pointer with his performance at Lingfield earlier in the day.
