FROSTY MORNING FOR TIPSTERS: Frost has bitten but most racecourses have survived, after inspections. It’s bad enough for trainers and jockeys but don’t forget the racing writer who could easily work through the night making his picks on cards which are abandoned, then have to start again, trying to push his deadlines but still leaving time for his fans to follow him or scorn his tips, which is par for the course.
RAIN AND SNOW FOR SATURDAY: On that note, Newbury’s big meeting for Saturday is marked ‘rain and snow’ and the Midlands Grand National card at Uttoxeter ‘frozen in places’
STORM ALREADY BETTER CLASS
⭕ 2.55 Huntingdon Success at Naas and Dundalk maintained a steady low-level Flat rating for Chicago Storm but his big-field class-5 hurdles strike at Wincanton after changing stables hiked him to a class-3 ratings level over hurdles.
However, he’s taking one step at a time, going for this Huntingdon class 4 using the continued partnership with Robbie David to take his weight down 7lb.
Imaginarium, who is therefore giving 11lb to Chicago Storm, needs heavy ground to show his best.
Two out of three when she changed stables, Brave Jen’s Fakenham win in December got a boost when the runner-up, Ironed Out, landed a mare’s race at Taunton.
Sun Art is steadily progressive and makes his handicap debut now for Fergal O’Brien who is 7-22 since winning a Grade-2 novice at Cheltenham 11 days back.
ROSE BACK TO HER BEST TRIP
⭕ 3.30 Huntingdon Tuscan Rose has been running well over shorter as if a return to her Taunton winning trip (3m) would do the trick.
She turned over a favourite at Taunton that day who went on to form figures of 2211 in typical clever pacing by Dan Skelton.
Tuscan Rose’s trainer, Neil Mulholland, is also skilled at the drawing-board and has already plotted three strikes for his Bath stable this year. Betdaq Betting Exchange 5.3 taken.
Rockola has landed back-to-back success, one each side of Christmas, both over 2m 4f+ So a course winner but with no form at today’s trip, and giving weight away all round.
BAZBALL CAN BOUNCE BACK
⭕ 5.30 Southwell In-form trainer John Wainwright is trying to wing it with his seven-year-old mare Biplane, who was given a strong lead when scoring at Newcastle on Tuesday.
She is asked to back that up, despite a 4lb penalty, and although she hasn’t put two wins together since the summer of 2022.
Lady Wingalong managed it in the autumn, scoring back to back at Lingfield and Wolverhampton, but over 7f, so she, too, needs some pace on here.
Starsong will probably oblige but Bazball is not a good starter. She ran a better race at Newcastle last time, moved to Sue Smith, and is now 16lb below a class-2 place there 13 months ago, so a bit of 9.3 to win and a place as a stakes saver.
On her career form so far, The Real McKay will need the run, particularly with her yard in the doldrums (0-12).
TRAINER PLANS TRANSPARENT
⭕ 6.00 Southwell Luke Morris has had four winners in February already, one of them yesterday for his long-time guv’nor Sir Mark Prescott, who is stretching out his retirement longer than Frank Sinatra.
They team up again with Tapis Rouge, who was placed here for a 7lb-claiming apprentice 13 days back.
Quickly also reappears after a place here in December but, like Tapis Rouge ,is a four-year-old having to give lumps of weight to the three-year-olds under the restrictions of the race.
Tom Ward is in good form (2-5) and his race planning is Transparent! He asks the Kempton winner of a similar restricted race at Kempton to follow up here, the penalty less damaging than if moved into handicaps.
Transparent led late at Kempton and the third has won since. Stepping up to a mile should suit.
DAQMAN’S BETS on Betdaq Betting Exchange
2.55 Huntingdon (win 11)
BET 4pts win CHICAGO STORM
3.30 Huntingdon (win 13)
BET 3pts win TUSCAN ROSE
5.30 Southwell (win 12)
BET 1.5pts win and place BAZBALL
★ 6.00 Southwell (win 10, nap)
BET 12pts win TRANSPARENT
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