Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Kempton Park , Bangor-on-dee , Lingfield Park and Southwell on 7 February 2025.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No9 SLIPWAY (Each Way)
Trainer: BenPauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
SLIPWAY is something of a joker in the pack on a switch to hurdling following three underwhelming runs over fences. He’s up against a well regarded foe in Kingston Pride, but needs respecting as a value alternative.
Race 4 No5 EYED
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
EYED has flourished since his move to Morrison, winning two of his five outings in handicap chases in the popular colours of hedge fund owner Martin Hughes. The gelding can keep up the good work
Race 6 No4 LOUNGE LIZARD (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
LOUNGE LIZARD travelled and jumped well before getting tired at the business end of his first run back at Carlisle before troubling the judge in a hot handicap at Cheltenham. On a belated first visit to this track he can earn, with others for exotics CREBILLY and ISSAR D’AIRY.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 3 Num5 WELL DICK
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Adam Wedge
WELL DICK has suffered from a recurring breathing problem, but looked to be over the problem when battling well to score at Exeter. While he remains something of a risky proposition, he is worth backing to follow it up in a race where can also earn.
Race 4 No3 BIG GINGE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Mr Jamie Nield
Having looked a tricky ride on his first run back, BIG GINGE put it together to chase home a good yardstick at Newbury. That should have done wonders for his confidence and set him up for a first win under Rules today.
Race 7 No2 WALKINTHECOTSWOLDS
Trainer: Harriet Dickin – Jockey: Bradley Harris
Dickin is doing a good job with her small string from which WALKINTHECOTSWOLDS proved a game winner last time. He’s gone up in the weights, but should get some respite from the claim of his capable rider, and make a good fist of notching back-to-back triumphs.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No1 MALJOOM (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
MALJOOM stands head and shoulders above his foes in a Listed feature which has cut up in his favour. For top connections he can make this a winning start to the year in a performance that should tee him up for bigger things ahead.
Race 7 No11 MOORGATE (Each Way)
Trainer: Pat Murphy – Jockey: John Egan
MOORGATE is not an obvious choice for this sprint handicap, but following a slightly more encouraging run at Kempton he could outperform his lofty price. He has a good draw, and is on a tempting mark to make him a speculative proposition.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No1 REBEL’S GAMBLE (Nap)
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
REBEL’S GAMBLE was a visually very impressive scorer at Newcastle where he came home unchallenged to remain unbeaten. Now on a mark of 95 he can underline his potential by completing a hat-trick as the best bet on the card.
Race 8 No2 CHARLATAN
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Taryn Langley
For a horse with a high action, CHARLATAN has made great strides on the all-weather and shown in successive seasons that this is the time of year when he’s operating to maximum effect. He completed a hat-trick in the 2024 winter, and has with a course and distance triumph sandwiched between two good efforts in defeat shown himself to be in similarly good order.
Race 9 No8 KODEBREAKER (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
Herrington has enjoyed a bountiful year so far, with his handicappers more than paying their way on the all-weather circuit. KODEBREAKER signalled by claiming a podium finish last time that he could on the cusp of a breakthrough, and I shall pay to find out of that overdue success is about to happen.
