Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park and Musselburgh on 16 February 2025.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No5 WINNEBAGO
Trainer: Tom Clover – Jockey: Neil Callan
Following a couple of near misses at Yarmouth, this looks a gilt edged opportunity for WINNEBAGO to open his account. I would be concerned about support for newcomer EXPRESS TRAIN, but if turning up in the same form as last time the selection can make it a win on his first on sand.
Race 3 No7 REY DE LA BATALLA (Each Way)
Trainer: Simon Dow – Jockey: Paddy Bradley
When winning here last week, REY DE LA BATALLA looked better the further he travelled and was well on top at the line. It was a fully deserved triumph for the four-year-old who interestingly found his best form at this time last year, while the step up to a mile seems sure to suit him.
Race 6 No2 BRINTON
Trainer: Jonny Portman – Hector Crouch
BRINTON has been chipping away getting closer to a breakthrough success, which can happen today. It was in a tight finish that he finished third at Wolverhampton on a third successive earning visit to Dunstall Park, but a move back to this track could assist his cause.
Race 7 No4 EPSOM FAITHFULL (Nap)
Trainer: Pat Phelan – Jockey: Paddy Bradley
EPSOM FAITHFULL is one to take seriously as potentially the best bet of the day. The mare provided one of the upsets of the 2024 all-weather season when scoring as a 100-1 shot over this course and distance, but subsequent seconds on the identical terrain serve to prove it was no fluke, and that she has turned a corner.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No7 VANILLA DANCER (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
VANILLA DANCER is an infrequent winner but since her sole success in a Sedgefield bumper has troubled the judge in each of nine starts including four handicaps this season. She is fully deserving of a change of
Jack, and it can happen today.
Race 7 No7 PURPLE GOWN (Each Way)
Trainer: A Nicol – Jockey: Jack Power
PURPLE GOWN is a longer price than his stablemate Trailblazer in a tricky nightcap, and could prove a value alternative. He consistently ran into the frame in a turf Flat campaign and could easily come on a long way for his comeback run at Catterick when only just out of the frame.
