Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Friday 21 February 2025

WARWICK

Race 1 No3 HILLCREST (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

HILLCREST will start as the outsider of three in a fascinating opener but can show he’s no back number and spring a minor surprise. The giant ten-year-old looked to have the world at his feet before going onto the injury list, and while his three chasing runs have left the jury well and truly out, he could dominate this triangular affair, aided by the the addition of cheek pieces.

Race 3 No2 DISCO DAVIS
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton

Pre racing, Skelton hosts the media at his yard local to this course and might well be encouraging them to back DISCO DAVIS who was a hare that never looked like coming back when opening his account at Lingfield. He put previous jumping issues behind him with that stylish display, and is strongly fancied to follow-up.

Race 6 No3 LANESBOROUGH
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones

Though he’s hit the woodwork on his last two starts LANESBOROUGH is overdue a change of luck and this can be his day. The form of his Hereford and Chepstow near misses has held up, and if giving out a similar performance the six-year-old can end the winning run of Casa Loupi.

Race 7 No4 FAY CE QUE VOUDRAS (Each Way)
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick

FAY CE QUE VOUDRAS has made gradual improvements since being sent chasing, troubling the judge for the first time this season on her latest start at Wetherby. She should enjoy a step up in trip today, and the softer the ground the better.

EXETER

Race 1 No3 MYTHICAL MOON (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon

Hat-trick seeker South Omo Zone will be a tough nut to crack but he could be up against the bet of the day in MYTHICAL MOON. True, the Nap has a score to settle with Kap Vert from their previous meeting at this track in December, but in running Meetmebythesea to a neck at Doncaster Mythical Moon showed he’s progressed, and that looks the best form on offer even though he was beaten.

Race 5 No1 ASCENDING LARK
Trainer: Paul O’Brien – Jockey: Paul O’Brien

ASCENDING LARK has proved the lynch pin of Durham’s operation with her three straight successes since joining the Newbury trainer. She’s carrying a 4lb penalty for her snug Newcastle success and should enjoy the move into handicap company.

Race 7 No12 WALK TALL
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell

My best news in the concluding bumper concerns WALK TALL, who makes his first outing under Rules for the Tizzards. Beautifully bred for jumping, being by Walk In The Park out of a Yeats mare, he’s been going well at home and can underline with a big run the promise shown when a tidy winner of his only run in a point in Ireland.

SOUTHWELL

Race 3 No5 LIAM SWAGGER (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: William Carson

Back on the Flat following some good efforts over hurdles, LIAM SWAGGER brings solid credentials to the table and should make no mistake as the best bet on this card.

Race 4 No3 PANAMA BLACK (Each Way)
Trainer: Brian Meehan – Jockey: Tommie Jakes

PANAMA BLACK finds himself in a competitive three-year-old only handicap but with the luxury of the rail in a race round a lap of the course. The Tamayuz colt keeps knocking on the door, is in very good order, and granted a clear run in the straight should again be in the shake-up.

Race 5 No1 ROHAAN
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: Jordan Williams

After getting tapped for toe, ROHAAN ran on in eye taking fashion to claim a minor cheque over course and distance last month. It marked a step up on his two previous efforts this year, and suggests this former Royal Ascot winner is ready to notch a first success since the autumn of 2023.

Race 7 No2 PORTORO
Trainer: Martin Dunne – Jockey: George Wood

PORTORO has shown a good attitude to score twice and be placed in each of his last five outings and has looked much improved for the addition of a hood. He’s very adept at getting the job done in a tight finish, and can further boost his record at this course which reads 321.