Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Ascot, Haydock Park, Wincanton and Newcastle on 18 February 2023.
Check out Neil's video preview for Saturday's racing at Ascot and Haydock below:
ASCOT
Race 3 No5 REVELS HILL
Trainer: Harry Fry – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
In one of the more attractive betting heats on a cracking card, REVELS HILL can put behind him an expensive defeat when last seen at Sandown in early December. He had earlier chased home Your Darling at the November meeting here, and represents an ownership that can do little wrong with their runners.
Race 4 No7 IRISH HILL
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
As one of the most progressive handicappers at Ditcheat, IRISH HILL holds strong claims to complete a hat-trick in this wickedly competitive heat. The grey has notched his successes at smaller tracks but done so with ease, and can look after himself in this far more challenging race, with Djelo and Zoffany Bay others to include in exotics.
Race 5 BETFAIR ASCOT CHASE (Grade 1)
No2 FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES (Nap)
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: JJ Slevin
All eyes will be on SHISHKIN who after a couple of defeats needs to restore his reputation, but the one to be on is last year’s winner of this FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES, whose form over the last 12 months is superior. The JP McManus-owned gelding is a classy operator, as his productive visits to England bear out, and following a cosy delivery in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles he has his tail up and can outgun the rapidly improving PIC D’ORHY.
Prediction: 1st FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES, 2nd Pic D’ORHY, 3rd Shishkin
Race 6 No5 IVALDI (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
The giant IVALDI was an early casualty at Kempton on Boxing Day after giving Scarface a fright in a novice hurdle here in November. A fine prospect for fences next season, he has plenty of improvement in him, and can land an earning blow for the champion trainer.
Race 7 No6 MIGHTY MOTH (Each Way)
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Robbie Dunne
MIGHTY MOTH hails from a trainer who came off the cold list with a winner earlier in the week. The Champs Elysees mare travelled kindly before fading in the straight on her debut under Rules at Uttoxeter and is open to progression at a big working man’s price.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No4 ERNE RIVER (Nap)
Trainer: Nick Kent – Jockey: Charlie Hammond
ER6NE RIVER looked unfortunate to be beaten by Silver Flyer at Doncaster when a silly mistake impaired his momentum. The eight-year-old had travelled and jumped impeccably to that point and deserves to be compensated.
Race 3 Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase
No1 BRISTOL DE MAI
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
A standing dish at Haydock, BRISTOL DE MAI can add to his outstanding record here. Runner-up in the corresponding race in 2022, he couldn’t lay a glove on Protektorat when returning in the Betfair Chase in November but is in better form now. He’s been a wonderful servant to connections whatever his fate in this clash with Welsh National winner The Two Amigos.
Race 5 No7 SUPER SIX (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
SUPER SIX did his best to throw away victory when attempting to go back to the stables and then hanging when hitting the front at Hereford. That first run since having a wind op shows the grey is in a good place from which to consolidate in this more strongly contested chase.
Race 6 Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
No12 SUPREME GIFT (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
SUPREME GIFT finds himself in the hottest race of its kind run this season. Though surrounded by recent winners with Cheltenham pretensions, he can make this a fourth success from five attempts this season.
WINCANTON
Race 3 Wincanton Jennings Bet Kingwell Hurdle (Garde 2)
No2 FIRST STREET (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: James Bowen
Having beaten two of his three opponents in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham, FIRST STREET can consolidate his position as an upwardly mobile addition to the top echelon of hurdling by taking out this recognised Champion Hurdle trial. He is likely to be happier on the ground than either Knappers Hill or I Like To Move It, and can book his ticket to the Festival.
Race 6 No4 BEYOND REDEMPTION
Trainer: Harry Dereham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
From a trainer that has made a sizzling start to his career, BEYOND REDEMPTION looks the answer to this long-distance handicap chase. The gelding appeared to have plenty in hand when landing a novices’ handicap chase on debut for the stable, and can successfully graduate into a tougher division and follow-up.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No1 RUSSIAN VIRTUE (Nap)
Trainer: Rebecca Menzies – Jockey: Kevin Stott
RUSSIAN VIRTUE a should have the bases covered and follow up his success over a shorter trip here two runs back. Either side of that the Toronado gelding has made hay with three hurdling triumphs. He can give professional backers a good start to the evening, although the odds will be prohibitive.
Race 5 No4 ADEB
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Oisin Orr
ADEB has since returning from a 500-day absence put in three earning runs to show he’s right at home on the all-weather. Though a beaten favourite here last time, he won over the course and distance on his New Year return and can outpoint Lion’s Dream.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
1 x 3, 1 x 1, 2 x 6 x 4, 6 x 8, 4, 7 x 4, 2, 9
R72
