Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Sandown, Lingfield, Sedgefield and Wolverhampton on 26 January 2024.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 3 No4 FINE CASTING (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
FINE CASTING has jumped well in a couple of earning runs over fences and should be in his element around this track. The eight-year-old has always promised to find his forte in this division, and although the only non-winner in the field this season has an in-form jockey in his back, while his trainer adds cheek pieces.
Race 5 No11 BASHERS REFELECTION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
BASHERS REFLECTION wasn’t seen at his best when upped in class at Aintree, but had absolutely bolted up on his previous outing at Wetherby. A winner of four of his last eight starts over hurdles, he’s down a peg on the class ladder and will be suited by the stiff uphill climb to the winning post. Lord Of Cheshire and Issam are others that can earn.
Race 6 No7 LILY LUNA (Each Way)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Lorcan Williams
LILY LUNA has run into a couple of decent foes when placed in novice hurdles at Wincanton and is unexposed on this first run in handicap company. The grey’s double figure price does not accurately illustrate her chance, and while this is a very competitive heat she can stave off the attentions of Gyllen and Artistic Endeavour.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No4 MUMAYAZ
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Jack Doughty
MUMAYAZ needs to break a frustrating habit of finishing second, one that has plagued him since he arrived in England as a two-race winner in Ireland. Nine of his last ten starts have seen him find one to beat him, but sometimes by the narrowest margins, and he’s given another chance.
Race 3 No1 HEATHCLIFF (Nap)
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Ross Coakley
Different Breed opened his account on Wednesday but has the worst of the draw if making a swift reappearance. Preference is for HEATHCLIFF, who showed signs of inexperience when second at Newcastle and has learned much from that second career start.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 4 No3 HORN CAPE
Trainer: Ben Haslam – Jockey: Richie McLernon
HORN CAPE boasts a fine record at this course, while having put in a near career best when scoring at Newcastle last time. The grey competes from a 4lb higher mark, but can make this a third success from his last four outings.
Race 6 No3 SKYHILL (Nap)
Trainer: Ann Hamilton – Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
SKYHILL can add to his fine record at this course. A three-time winner here, he needed his comeback outing in November but then made no mistake at Catterick. The veteran takes the best credentials to post and can make it a fifth success from his last nine starts over fences.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No6 JUST A SPARK
Trainer: Rod Millman – Jockey: Gina Mangan
JUST A SPARK makes abundant appeal getting weight from her five opponents in a sprint around two bends. The Bungle Inthejungle filly clicked for Mangan when returning to the all-weather at the beginning of the month which represented a fourth win on sand in succession. She has an affinity for this course and should prove very hard to beat.
Race 4 No2 ALVESTA
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
ALVESTA bumped into a smart foe when second to Kalidasa here a fortnight ago. The Study Of Man filly doesn’t have the best of draws but her greater experience should count against stablemates Encircle and Miss Bielsa who are both unraced.
Race 7 No1 UPEPO (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
UPEPO did us a good turn when storming home at Lingfield and is napped to complete a hat-trick racing under a 5lb penalty
