Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Chelmsford City” and Newcastle on 22 February 2024.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No8 SCOTCH ON DA ROCKS
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
Pauling can do nothing wrong and in SCOTCH ON DA ROCKS might well have the answer to this maiden hurdle. The trainer scored with another winning pointer in No Questions Asked at Market Rasen on Tuesday. This fellow is a pea out of the same pod and has worked and schooled well ahead of his debut under Rules.
Race 4 No3 MAJOR FORTUNE (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton- Jockey: Harry Skelton
Anyone who witnessed MAJOR FORTUNE’s dominating victory over course and distance last week will hesitate to oppose him as he bids to complete a four-timer for the Skeltons. He’s taken those exertions in his stride and should make no mistake under a 7lb penalty.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No1 RIBAL (Nap)
Trainer: Stuart Williams – Jockey: Luke Catton
RIBAL enjoys an experienced edge on his foes that can assist the grey to a first career success. The Roaring Lion gelding has continually earned for his connections, and following a couple of near misses should have too many guns for the well-related filly Cocktail Dress.
Race 2 No4 BLACKJACK
Trainer: Alan Brown – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
BLACKJACK has performed well in each of his three outings since returning from a six-month absence, gamely landing the spoils on his latest start over course and distance. His figures here are 221, and with Doyle on the plate for the first time, there should be more to come.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No10 SEA ICE (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette
SEA ICE can get us off on the right footing by breaking her maiden in the colours of Lord Lloyd Webber. The home-bred filly improved from race to race in three outings in the early winter, latterly chasing home Kaleidoscope at Lingfield. By Too Darn Hot out of a mare by Arctic Ocean, she should benefit from this step up to a mile and a quarter.
Race 6 No2 IRISH FLAME
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Clifford Lee
IRISH FLAME drops a notch on the class ladder after placing over course and distance on his first outing of 2024. He operates from an unchanged mark, and rates a value option to paper favourite Win Win Power, who moves up the distance ladder following his win at Wolverhampton.
Race 7 No10 WHERES THE CRUMPET (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Phil Dennis
WHERES THE CRUMPET had Stand Free a head adrift when the pair clashed over a mile and a quarter at this track earlier in the month. While there is little to separate them in the rematch, it was my selection’s best run of the season and he’s taken to confirm the placings.
