Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Kempton Park, Bangor-On-Dee, Wolverhampton and Chelmsford on 9 February 2024.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No8 MIDNIGHT CENTURIAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
MIDNIGHT CENTURIAN has taken home a cheque on each of his races over fences including when third to Ballybegg at Ludlow. That form has been let down, but with so little experience in this new sphere the selection can progress. He’s certainly built for the job.
Race 4 No1 KATATE DORI
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Top weight KATATE DORI has proved costly to follow during his short time hurdling, being overturned as a warm order at both Chepstow and Hereford. The bumper winner should appreciate this easy track, but needs to be ridden with some restraint in order to put his best foot forward on ground that’s ideal for him.
Race 5 No6 HIGHSTAKESPLAYER
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
One that jumps off the page in this three-mile handicap chase is HIGHSTAKESPLAYER who can remain unbeaten over fences on return from a 15-month enforced absence. A comfortable winner of back-to-back races at Hereford, he’s been going well since returning to full training from the injury list and shouldn’t want for lack of fitness for a yard that’s amongst the winners.
Race 6 No4 KINGSTON PRIDE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
It’s always difficult to keep Henderson out of the winners’ circle at this course and KINGSTON PRIDE looks like another scorer for the master of Seven Barrows. The grey won his only point when based in Ireland. He was beaten at odds-on in a Lingfield bumper but appeals as a perfect opportunity to provide back from injury de Boinville with a timely winner.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 2 No1 GAZETTE BOURGEOISE
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Harry Bannister
After a last-gasp defeat on her seasonal reappearance at Ffos Las GAZETTE BOURGEOISE put in an underwhelming display at Newbury. Cheek pieces now replace blinkers on the bold jumping mare, whose stable was a bit quiet at the time of that race, but is now finding its feet again.
Race 3 No12 HEAD AND HEART (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Mickael Nolan
Several can be afforded chances in this North Wales National, but the one that stands out is HEAD AND HEART. The mare reacted positively to the addition of cheekpieces when cosily taking out a similar race at Warwick and looked better the further she travelled. She’s the winner of two of only six outings over fences, and off what looks a workable mark should have more to offer.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No2 HIGHER LAW
Trainer: Kevin Frost – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
HIGHER LAW is a 16-race maiden but this looks a very good opportunity for him to stop the rot. He hit the crossbar over course and distance at the end of January and that was his best run since joining his trainer.
Race 5 No3 BLOODHOUND (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: William Cox
Hills does well with the limited number of horses he runs in the winter and a market check on BLOODHOUND is advised. The grey posted an earning run when easy to back on his all-weather debut here last month, and having learned plenty from it can surprise paper favourite Prince Maxi.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 4 No2 BOOM BOOM POW (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Joe Fanning
Havana Grey filly BOOM BOOM POW has finished second three times in seven starts since joining her trainer and needs to show she has the will to win. Her task is aided by the addition of Fanning who is a master judge of pace in small fields, while she retains the visor which saw her go close on her latest visit to this track.
Race 5 No3 UPPER HAND
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland – Jockey: Tom Marquand
UPPER HAND troubled the judge on several occasions without managing to put his head in front and now debuts for the Newland stable with Marquand an eye-taking jockey booking for the gelding who can open his account.
Race 7 No5 H KEY LAILS
Trainer: Mike Attwater – Jockey: Adam Farragher
H KEY LAILS put in his best all-weather run since joining the Attwater stable when chasing home Glencalvie here at the beginning of the month. The grey attracted plenty of support and is out to recoup losses in a finale that might not take much winning.
