Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Doncaster, Ffos Las, Huntingdon and Southwell on 6 February 2025.
DONCASTER
Race 3 No2 BEAU QUALI (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
By far the best form in this maiden hurdle belongs to BEAU QUALI. Admittedly he’s enjoyed a mixed bag of luck since joining the Skeltons from France, but equally he’s run into some decent types, and would probably have landed the odds laid on him but for falling at Newcastle last time. Granted the rub of the green he should make no mistake.
Race 4 No4 WISE EAGLE
Trainer: Adrian Nicol – Jockey: Craig Nicol
Shanagh Bob is paper favourite for this handicap hurdle, but the book might have underestimated WISE EAGLE, who is unbeaten over hurdles and has designs of completing a hat-trick. The selection is proving himself to be a fine dual-purpose performer and was only narrowly denied in a Class2 at Newcastle last month. He didn’t go on the testing conditions when down the field in the November Handicap here, but has shown in his subsequent exploits what he can do.
Race 5 No4 KELCE
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
KELCE should see this tricky betting heat run to suit courtesy of him being the only front runner in the line-up. The seven-year-old blotted his copybook when falling at Market Rasen on Boxing Day, but that form has been boosted by the winner O’Connell. It would be no surprise to see the selection lead them a merry dance and remain in command.
FFOS LAS
Race 1 No4 LIBRE DE CHOEUR
Trainer: Clive Boultbee-Brooks – Jockey: Richard Patrick
LIBRE DE CHOEUR has been all dressed up with nowhere to go as the inclement weather continues to thwart his re entrance to the stage. The opportunity to build on his pleasing first outing under Rules at Warwick has surely arrived, and he can with an earning run maintain the good form of his stable.
Race 2 No2 SUNSET MARQUESA
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
SUNSET MARQUESA went out like a damp squib at Newbury but that Christmas reverse can now be swept under the carpet. The daughter of Walk In The Park had breezed home on her previous start at Wincanton and is fancied to bounce back in a small field where she can dominate.
Race 3 No5 SHADY B (Each Way)
Trainer: Clive Boultbee-Brooks – Jockey: Richard Patrick
SHADY B troubled the judge on his first run of the season at Uttoxeter on New Year’s Eve and has undergone a subsequent breathing operation. In only his fourth chase outing he can be competitive and take away a slice of the cake on what hopefully will be a good day for his trainer and jockey.
Race 5 No2 KNEAD A WIN (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
One that greatly interests me is the free going KNEAD A WIN on his first run in a handicap. In spite of taking a keen grip the five-year-old has kept on well after being challenged at this course and Uttoxeter to finish in the money, and I fancy him to give this field the slip.
HUNTINGDON
Race 3 No5 NO SECRETS ASKED
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
This Listed contest has in the past had a bearing on the two and a half mile novices’ hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. While I doubt there’s one capable of rippling that pond, NO QUESTIONS ASKED looks tempting if starting near his forecast price. He made it two from three for the season with a stylish defeat of Big Ginge at Hereford, with the second going on to run well in a warm race at Newbury. He should also enjoy this step up in trip.
Race 5 No3 DANCING IN BRAZIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Fresh from a readying run that should have blown away any cobwebs, DANCING IN BRAZIL can cut the mustard on only his second outing out of Grange Farm. He was easy to back on his first outing of the season at Newbury, but in claiming a minor cheque produced a performance from which he can build.
Race 7 No1 FORTUNE DE MER
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
While bumpers are not my favourite route to riches, FORTUNE DE MER should be worth waiting for in the finale. A narrow defeat followed by a similarly narrow conversion at Chepstow gives him the necessary cards to play against some interesting newcomers of whom money for CORRA BHEINN could prove significant.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No4 SAWGRASS (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
Morrison knows plenty about the family of SAWGRASS who was friendless in the market for her midfield finish on debut at Kempton. The daughter of Gleneagles can show she’s learned something from that and claim a cheque as she drops back to a mile.
Race 4 No7 NORTHERN CRACKSMAN (Nap)
Trainer: Liam Mullaney – Jockey: Bill Loughnane
Now that he’s put his head in front, it could pay to follow NORTHERN CRACKSMAN who did us a good turn at Newcastle when convincingly breaking his duck at the 15th attempt. It should have given the four-year-old a timely confidence boost, while Billy Loughnane is keen to sustain the partnership.
Race 8 No5 PORTORO
Trainer: Martin Dunne – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
The consistent PORTORO skipped an opportunity last week and can prove a bet worth waiting for in the nightcap. The Outstrip gelding has a plum draw from which to recover the losses recently sustained on him over this course and distance.
