Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Fontwell Park, Catterick Ridge, Lingfield Park and Kempton Park on 8 March 2023
FONTWELL PARK
Race 5 No5 POLICE ACADEMY
Trainer: Oliver Sherwood – Jockey: Harry Kimber
POLICE ACADEMY won her only point in Ireland and has earned in three of her four outings under Rules over hurdles. She makes the bold jump into the handicap chase arena having been well tutored for this new discipline, and can trump her more experienced rivals.
Race 6 No6 SOUND AND FURY (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Luca Morgan
Donnie Azoff has the points on the board in terms of experience but could find point winner and Rules debutant SOUND AND FURY too hot to handle. The selection was sourced from top connections in Ireland and hails from a yard running into form in a serious way.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 3 No4 MISS LAMB (Nap)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Brian Hughes
MISS LAMB ran better than her finishing position indicates when out of the frame on her reappearance at Wetherby. She didn’t look to have a hard race on that first outing in a year, and brings top bumper form to the table through her excellent third placing in the Aintree bumper. Granted normal progress she should make short work of her opponents.
Race 4 No5 COUP DE GOLD (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Joe Williamson
The diminutive COUP DE GOLD has flirted with the all-weather but should be happier returned to this jumps venue where he won back in 2019 and has been placed three times subsequently. The strong traveller can pick up another cheque with conditions in his favour.
Race 7 No6 THE KALOOKI KID
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
THE KALOOKI KID shaped with abundant promise on his debut at Ayr last autumn and is the probably answer to this concluding bumper with former conditional champ McMenamin in the irons. He can come out best in a three horse war with Chance The Robin and Quaresome.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No4 BAROQUE STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
We never saw the best of BAROQUE STAR last season when she suffered from a recutting problem with corns. The daughter of Lope De Vega picked up only a minor cheque on her first run for new owners at Kempton last month, but will be straighter now, and can raise her game.
Race 6 No1 FLY THE NEST (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: David Egan
FLY THE NEST wasn’t stopping when scoring over seven furlongs here last week. He’s out for a follow-up under a 4lb penalty but should enjoy stretching out to a mile, and can thwart the hat-trick bid of Divine Messenger.
Race 7 No1 MOUNT MOGAN
Trainer: Laura Mongan – Jockey: Rab Havlin
MOUNT MOGAN has improved from race to race this season, latterly finishing third here last week. The winner, Fly The Nest can endorse his chances by acquitting himself well in the previous race.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 No7 AMY SANTIAGO (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Oisin Orr
Showcasing filly AMY SANTIAGO sprang a 14-1 surprise when open8ng her account at Southwell and now steps into the handicap arena. She is well drawn to get an early handle on affairs, and on only her fourth career start is the one with most progression in this field.
Race 6 No5 STARSONG
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Murphy has struck up a good partnership with Appleby since returning to the saddle, and his mount STARSONG can show with another triumph that she’s a well treated filly. She’s only 3lb higher for her recent Chelmsford triumph, and should again take care of business.
