Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Fakenham, Kelso and Wolvehampton on 15 February 2024.
FAKENHAM
Race 3 No1 WESTERNINTHEPARK (Nap)
Trainer: Anthony Charlton – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Cobden has formed a lucrative link with this stable in his bid to gain a first jump jockeys’ title, and WESTERNINTHEPARK looks another earner for him. It took the Nap a while to get on top when sent off 4-6 for his recent race at Plumpton, but at least that proves he handles a sharp track, and there is none sharper than Fakenham.
Race 4 No6 CONCEROE
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
CONCEROE is carded to start a roughie in this three miles handicap chase but it could prove unwise to ignore him. He faces a couple of in-form opponents in Imac Wood and Tupelo Mississippi, but when last seen 15 months ago he landed some good bets at this track. The success endorsed the promise of his chasing debut at the same venue, and with that experience to bring to the table he could upset the applecart.
Race 5 No5 HERMES LE GRIS
Trainer: Robbie Llewellyn – Jockey: Liam Harrison
HERMES LE GRIS carries a 7lb penalty after bolting up at Huntingdon a week ago. The grey took the spoils with a nonchalant display that suggested there would be plenty more to come from him.
Race 6 No7 SPYGLASS HILL
Trainer: R Pallas – Jockey, Mr James King
The obvious go-to horse in the concluding hunters-chase is Secret Invester but I fancy SPYGLASS HILL to make a race of it with him. The selection was a three-winner for Henry de Bromhead in Ireland and now debuts for his trainer under a rider who will ensure he’s given every chance.
KELSO
Race 1 No7 NAB WOOD
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
NAB WOOD can spark a good day for Greystoke Stables by taking this handicap hurdle on his first run in such a contest. He brings good novice from to the table, having chased home a well-regarded foe at Ayr and then opened his account by a wide margin at this track. On just a fifth start over jumps he should have more to offer.
Race 2 No2 TEDTWO (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Haslam – Jockey: Richie McLernon
TEDTWO won the battle of the Teds when foiling Tedley at Ffos Las and then gave Asta La Pasta plenty to think about when second to that foe in a stronger race at Wetherby. Now with a third trainer on just a seventh career start, he is one of the best bets of the day.
Race 7 No9 YAKALEO
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
YAKALEO shaped with a deal of promise to trouble the judge on his Musselburgh introduction. The market spoke in favour of him, and it was only in a tight finish that he succumbed to Getagin. The experience is thought to have done the selection the world of good mentally.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No3 SIXTIES CHIC (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
SIXTIES CHIC breaks from the rail in this low-grade sprint and just needs to obtain a handy early position to maximise her chance of swooping in the short home straight. She’s been freshened up after failing to get home over seven furlongs at Lingfield.
Race 6 No8 WADACRE GOMEZ (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
WADACRE GOMEZ ran well under a penalty when second here earlier in the month and now enjoys the presence of apprentice champion Loughnane in his saddle. The ultra-consistent selection can make it a fourth success from his last ten starts on sand, and a first at Dunstall Park.
Race 8 No6 SOAMES FORSYTE
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Herrington has enjoyed a bountiful period with SOAMES FORSYTE since the gelding had a breathing operation before Christmas. It took the gelding a run to enjoy the effectiveness of the surgery, but his last three outings have resulted in back-to-back successes and a narrow defeat over this course and distance when he finished third in a blanket finish. He’s very much in his comfort zone at this level, and will be hard to keep out of the shake-up.
