Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Hereford , Wetherby , Southwell and Kempton on 12 February 2025.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No6 WICKED THOUGHTS
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
The best bets here are at the front of the card, with WICKED THOUGHTS taken to bounce back from an uncharacteristic fall at Doncaster to open his account under the champion jockey. The chestnut has been unfortunate to run into some smart rivals since opening his account in a Musselburgh bumper, but this looks his most straight task to date.
Race 2 No9 PLAY IT AGAIN (Nap)
Trainer: Nick Zetterholm – Jockey: T Andrieux
Nathaniel filly PLAY IT AGAIN made a promising entrance to the fray when second at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in December and this visit from Chantilly suggests her connections have big plans for her. Owned by Robert Waley-Cohen, she should lord it over these rivals on the way to better things.
WETHERBY
Race 3 No1 LIVE CONTI (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
LIVE CONTI is a name that’s been whispered for the Triumph Hurdle, but in order to head for that juvenile championship at the Festival he needs to win well on Rules debut today. The Nap , whose owners include Sir Alex Ferguson, delivered on his only outing in France at Auteuil last autumn, and if he’s as impressive as I hope will see his odds slashed for Cheltenham
Race 4 No7 STRINGTOYOURBOW
Trainer: Christian Williams – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
Front running STRINGTOYOURBOW had no answer to Stormin Crossgales at Southwell but had previously notched snug triumphs at that course and at Musselburgh. As long as he can get onto an uncontested lead he should give these foes a good run for their money, while at a big price I also fancy RUMOURSAREFLYING to get into the shake up.
Race 5 No5 RANGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
RANGE put an unlucky fall on chase debut behind him with a precision round of jumping on a return visit to Chepstow. He didn’t like being settled in behind the leaders next time at Kempton on Boxing Day, while his jumping also let him down against Handstands at Ffos Las. He’s weaved a chequered pattern in his short time as a chaser, but is well capable of bouncing back today.
SOUTHWELL
Race 7 No5 ORANGESANDLEMONS (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
While proving very frustrating to follow, there’s no doubt that ORANGESANDLEMONS has the ability and wherewithal to open her account soon, and this should be her day. The Mayson filly has been a beaten favourite in each of her last three outings, but can benefit from this first visit to Southwell, where Zabeel Rain lies in wait as her main danger.
Race 8 No3 STANDPUT
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
Cotai Glory filly STANDPUT demonstrated with her win on a first outing in a handicap at Wolverhampton that she’s now in her comfort zone. She battled all the way to the line to take the spoils and needs to show she’s equally effective on a first outing at this course.
Race 9 No5 SOAMES FORSYTE
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
Hat-trick seeker Cut To The Chase is in the form of his life, but SOAMES FORSYTE can cause him problems. The selection landed a quiet touch over this course and distance but was compromised by being drawn wide and having to cover more ground than he needed to on his latest visit. The difference today is the selection breaks from the rail, while is opponent isn’t helped by being berthed one from the outer in the field of eleven.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 No8 MODERN DAY (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Dougie Costello
This is a decidedly weak maiden that Godolphin’s MODERN DAY can dominate. While it’s a slight worry that the newcomer sports a visor, he has a good draw and the gelded son of Dark Angel should take the spoils as the best bet on the card.
Race 6 No2 GOLDEN MIND (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Oisin Orr
One that interests me at a big price is GOLDEN MIND, who gets a first time tongue tie for this Class2 sprint. The selection wasn’t far off being Group class in his juvenile season when finishing third in a Listed race at Ascot and fourth in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, won by Haatem. While unable to live up to his initial promise last year, he ran well back in Listed company on AW debut at Newcastle, and was easy to back when in the ruck at Wolverhampton last month. He is sure to have come on for that needed outing.
Race 7 No10 MEDIA MOGUL (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker- Jockey: George Downing
As the least experienced runner in a race full of out of form opponents, MEDIA MOGUL is worth a market check and he could prove the answer. The selection went of at 100-1 when obtaining a mark at Wolverhampton, but now enjoys a substantial step up in trip, which should bring about pronounced improvement from him.
