Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Exeter and Southwell on 12 February 2023.
EXETER
Race 2 No7 THE CARPENTER (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
An enforced absence means THE CARPENTER is having his first outings for 700 days, but fitness shouldn’t be an issue for the grey who earned on his only start in a Navan bumper and has worked and schooled well in preparation for this first outing under Rules.
Race 3 No4 KISSESFORKATIE
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Lorcan Williams
Locally-trained KISSESFORKATIE was no match for the smart Tweed Skirt at Wincanton but had earlier chased home another classy foe in Pic D’Orhy at Newbury and opened her account over fences at Fontwell. That’s a very respectable record to take into this mares’ Listed chase, and she should take care of business.
Race 4 No6 LUCCIA
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
This Listed novices’ hurdle can see LUCCIA extending her unbeaten record in bumpers and hurdles to four. She was a dominating winner of her first outing over jumps at Newbury at this level, and looks the type that could play a part in her trainer’s Cheltenham plans.
Race 6 No7 RUN TO MILAN
Trainer: Victor Dartnall – Jockey: Alan Johns
There’s not much between top weight Ramses De Teillee and bottom weight RUN TO MILAN on the book but the latter was a worthy winner of the corresponding race in 2022 and is fancied to go back-to-back as he has a slight pull in the weights with his rival from the last time they met.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No1 SICARIO (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Oisin Orr
Now that he’s put his head in front, last week’s Wolverhampton scorer SICARIO is in a position to consolidate. He needed to show a certain amount of determination to edge home to post a first success for his trainer under the same rider in the saddle today. It was just what the doctor ordered, and the combination are poised to follow up.
Race 4 No14 SCRAMBLE
Trainer: Conrad Allen – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
SCRAMBLE has been handed a perfect draw in this race around a right-handed bend into the home straight. The Havana Gold filly has knocked on the door and now takes an experience card to the table, having failed in a close photo to hold Nuthatch at Chelmsford. She should be able to attack from the start and prove hard to catch.
Race 6 No10 TIGER SPIRIT
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Charm Spirit mare TIGER SPIRIT popped up at 16-1 here last month to endorse the promise of her pre-Christmas effort when third at the same track. She seems to have found some improvement at the age of six and having had a nice break between races can build on it under the same jockey that was on board on each occasion.
