Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Sandown, Leicester, Newcastle and Chelmsford on 15 February 2024.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 3 WEATHERBYS CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL BETTING GUIDE JANE SEYMOUR MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 2)
No6 SMILING GETAWAY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Easily the best race of the day can fall to SMILING GETAWAY. The chestnut has greatly impressed with the style of her successes at Ludlow and Warwick. She’s a mare that answers every call when coming under a ride, suggesting the stiff uphill finish will play to her strengths in this battle with Aston Martini and Cherie D’Am.
Race 4 No1 FARCEUR DU LARGE
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Maj Will Kellard
FARCEUR DU LARGE looks to have the right credentials to land this historic military chase. The grey has a trainer who is ex-Army and loves this race, and was a convincing winner of a similar contest over course and distance three weeks ago. That was a much improved effort on anything he’d shown before, and indicates he’s crossed the divide.
Race 6 No9 SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE should enjoy the intricacies of this course where the emphasis is on sound jumping. He’s finished off each of his races this season strongly, and in a bigger field should enjoy a strong gallop off which he can wear down his foes on the uphill climb to the line.
LEICESTER
Race 5 No3 GAZETTE BOURGEOISE (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Harry Bannister
GAZETTE BOURGEOISE missed out on a good opportunity last week but seems to have been found an equally tempting opening with only two rivals taking her on. After a near miss on seasonal return at Ffos Las, the bold jumping mare underwhelmed in first-time blinkers at Newbury. It’s no surprise that her trainer has swapped that headgear for cheek pieces.
Race 6 No9 YIPPEE KI YAY
Trainer: Mrs Nicola Sheppard – Jockey: Mr Milo Herbert
With good pointing form to his name YIPPEE KI YAY may prove the answer to the concluding novices’ hunters’ chase. The six-year-old is less experienced than his rivals but could have more to offer on debut for his trainer And first run in the hunter division.
NEWCASTLE
Race 6 No10 FOLLOW CHARLIE (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Smith – Jockey: Ben Smith
The only be on this tricky card for punting is FOLLOW CHARLIE. There’s been marked improvement in the selection since he went handicapping, with a second to Gamigin at Ayr and smooth success at the same venue early in the New Year. He looked happier over this two-and-a-half mile trip, while ground conditions are also ideal for him.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 4 No7 WILD SAFFRON (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Kubler – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
I like the look of WILD SAFFRON, whose owners have been staunch supporters of British racing for several decades. The Land Force filly finished second on a first outing of 2024 over seven furlongs, and from the favoured rail can show that a slight drop in trip is within her compass.
Race 5 No1 HOW IMPRESSIVE
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Brandon Wilkie
HOW IMPRESSIVE lived up to his name when scoring at Lingfield last week, and is out for more under a 5lb penalty. He has limited experience at this track, but looked to have plenty in hand on that latest start.
Race 6 No2 SIGHTER
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Alex Voikhansky
SIGHTER looks the spearhead of a two-pronged attack on this race by Hannon. The daughter of Expert Eye put in a career-best to earn a mark to run in a handicap, and with a capable apprentice on her saddle together with scope for progression, she can open her account.
Race 7 No9 CURTIZ
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
Course specialist At Liberty commands respect but at the foot of the weights CURTIZ is preferred. The selection has been in particularly good form through the winter with success over this course and distance-topping back-to-back near misses at Lingfield. Furthermore, his trainer has his Summerdown team running into form.
