Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Newbury and Musselburgh on 19 February 2023.
NEWBURY
Race 3 No2 DIAMOND EGG (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
DIAMOND EGG was too keen for his own good when unseating his pilot in a soft fall at Plumpton last week. He’s come out of that with no ill-effects and can take advantage of the way this race has cut up in his favour to score for a group of owners headed by former trainer Henrietta Knight.
Race 4 No6 JINA
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
JINA blotted her copybook with some poor jumping on debut at Ludlow before Christmas but is worth giving the chance to show that running to be all wrong. The French-bred filly has been in good form at home, and is getting a stone from main market rival Tintintin.
Race 7 No3 IKALIMIX
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
Henderson has a powerful double hand in the concluding bumper with Iolaos Du Mou and Meadowsuite but IKALIMIX can trump both of them. The five-year-old has an eye taking French pedigree and is the subject of favourable reports in a race that could easily throw up a minor upset.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No3 BEAT THE EDGE (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
BEAT THE EDGE would be a deserving winner of this novices’ handicap chase. The six-year-old has earned in all but one of his six outings over fences including when runner-up for the third time at Market Rasen last time. Having been denied in the final few strides, the gelding can defy a 3lb rise in the weights.
Race 4 No3 METHODTOTHEMADNESS
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Derek Fox
METHODTOTHEMADNESS was raised a mere 1lb for scoring over this course and distance last week, and though now in a better race can take care of business against a couple of in-form rivals that have been threatening to win, but failed to do so.
Race 6 No4 DUTY CALLS
Trainer: Susan Forster – Jockey: Lewis Stones
DUTY CALLS makes a first visit to this track looking as if a step up in trip will greatly benefit him. He’s reserved his best for the finish in two visits to Ayr this year, but has been dropped a pound.
