Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Fontwell Park and Hereford on 23 February 2025.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 1 No1 GLYNN BRAE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twist9n-Davies
GLYNN BRAE can defy a double penalty and supplement his cosy course and distance success last month. He has a tendency to jump to the right, but on this figure-of-eight circuit that it a swings and roundabouts trait, and it shouldn’t stop him from following-up.
Race 3 STAR SPORTS NATIONAL SPIRIT HURDLE (Grade 2)
No2 NEMEAN LION (Nap)
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
The decision not to send NEMEAN LION over three miles in testing conditions at Haydock can be shown to be a wise one, with the eight-year-old strongly fancied to complete a hat-trick in Fontwell’s showcase race of its season. He was very good over this trip at Windsor when flooring SALVER, and though his rival is better off at the weights this track should play to the strengths of my nap.
HEREFORD
Race 2 No2 GOOD FRIDAY FAIRY
Trainer: Ben Clarke – Jockey: Ben Jones
Accurate jumping is the hallmark of GOOD FRIDAY FAIRY who after storming home at Wincanton last week can make light of his revised mark and follow-up. He will act on this track, has underfoot conditions in his favour and his jockey is riding out of his skin.
Race 4 No2 ALMAZHAR GARDE
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
ALMAZHAR GARDE has gone 222 in his last three starts but should find a return to this course sufficient of a cup of tea to gain a deserving first success of the season. He’s a bold jumper that likes to go from the front, while O’Brien has a very good record on him.
Race 5 No2 CRYING LIGHTNING (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
While only a minor player out of Grange Farm, CRYING LIGHTNING has the ability to shake up a couple of much shorter priced rivals. She will benefit from a switch to handicaps, but in the meantime can earn against Youhadneathello and Picture Of You, both of whom are beatable.
Race 6 No3 MINNIEMUM (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
It’s not often that Sheppard rides for this stable and his presence on MINNIEMUM is a tip in itself. There’s not much of this well-named mare but she’s taken well to jumping fences at home and can make her mark on a first chase outing.
