Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday's racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Musselburgh and Fontwell Park on 5 April 2024.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No2 PEDRO VALENTINO (Nap)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
PEDRO VALENTINO hails from a stable that’s made a good start to the season and merits considerable respect on this first run in a handicap. The grey landed some good bets on his all-weather debut at Wolverhampton and looks to have been found a fine opportunity on this return to action.
Race 5 No6 HIROMICHI
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
HIROMICHI was a three times winner in 2023 including over a mile here exactly a year ago. He’s ready for this return to the fray, and finds himself in a race where most of the others have been out of form.
Race 6 No7 HANNAH’S RETURN
Trainer: Gary Brown – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
HANNAH’S RETURN is blessed with a perfect draw three off the rail in this sprint round a left-handed bend. With leading all-weather rider Ryan back in the irons she can make it a third success from only four starts this year.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 1 No9 SPEED DAVIS
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Respect is paid in this maiden hurdle to Irish raider Full Metal Jacket, but SPEED DAVIS appears to have just as good a chance from a form perspective. The six-year-old couldn’t contain Pickanumber after proving solid in the market on his first run over hurdles at Catterick, but has learned plenty from it, and is better than he showed.
Race 3 No5 GOLDEN MAVERICK (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
GO!DEN MAVERICK can with a win in this juvenile handicap hurdle justify the long journey from Lambourn. He had good form on the Flat, and after a smooth conversion at Haydock doesn’t look harshly treated on his first run in a handicap.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 1 No5 PIPERS CROSS
Trainer: Robbie Llewellyn – Jockey: Mr C Johnstone-Baker
PIPERS CROSS was a tad disappointing at Stratford after bolting up at Leicester. She’s not straightforward, but her rider knows how to get the best out of her. Furthermore, she should enjoy this figure-of-eight track.
Race 5 No2 LIVIN ON LUCO
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Mickael Nolan
This isn’t the first time LIVIN ON LUCO has engaged in what promises to be a straight match and he rates a value bet to down the odds on Johnny Jump Up. The selection has given best to Jackpot D’Athou and Fortunate Man on his latest outings but now enjoys a needed step up in trip.
Race 6 No3 RULER LEGEND (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
It’s hard to look past recent scorer RULER LEGEND on this second run in handicap company. On the first, he trounced his rivals at Huntingdon after attracting plenty of support, and having taken the exertions in his stride is strongly fancied to follow up.
