Warwick Racecourse: Preview and tips for Friday’s seven-race meeting
There’s more jumping action at Warwick Racecourse on Friday afternoon, as the track hosts four races over hurdles and three over fences.
Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Warwick card, courtesy of BOYLE Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.
Up first is a junior hurdle, run over two miles (1.05). Nicky Henderson’s new recruit, Feel Gut, who runs in the prominent Mrs J Donnelly colours, will likely attract plenty of attention, having run well for second of 14 on debut in France. Diamond Jim is the only previous winner in the field, while Mecene, Majeur Allen and Dream’s Ka have all placed previously. Given back most of his penalty by his claiming rider, Diamond Jim can win this again, but Mecene looks a big danger from lower down the weights.
Race two is a mares’ novices’ hurdle, run over two miles and three furlongs (1.35). This looks a competitive race, with a good amount of potential quality running through the card. Jackie Hobbs is the best of the previous hurdle winners, while bumper winner Ballymoreen could get involved at the finish. Edith Pelham shouldn’t be taken lightly, running for a stable who do well in maidens and novices, and Shotgun Shirley could be of interest too. Lisnamurrican, though, has some very strong point-to-point form and she should have the quality to win this.
A two-mile novices’ handicap chase is next (2.05). There are only five runners here, of which Henry Daly’s Jour d’Evasion is topweight, having won his two latest starts. Up against a better class of opponent today, though, this may be too much of an ask. Back down to a better trip, Paul Nicholls’ Inca De Lafayette could be in with a big chance under five-pound claimer Jay Tidball, and is now a pound below his latest winning mark.
Next is a handicap hurdle run over three miles and a furlong (2.37). Topweight Imperial Merlin is down to a winnable mark now, and it’s interesting to see Harry Skelton booked for the ride. Jalisco Star could go well under his claiming rider. Local trainer Olly Murphy’s Wa Wa makes plenty of appeal, nearly down to his latest winning mark and given a handy five pounds by his rider, but the stable’s first string appears to be Gwennie May Star under first jockey Sean Bowen.
Race five is a novices’ handicap hurdle run over two miles and three furlongs (3.12). Midnight View could be at a winnable mark now for Matt Sheppard, while Pottersmattyeeehaa has taken a step forward for stepping up in trip and could be competitive. Conniemak could win from this mark, and it’s encouraging to see Sean Bowen booked to ride.
The penultimate race is a handicap chase run over three and a quarter miles (3.47). Warren Greatrex’s He Knows Better is consistent at this mark and can run a good race from the top end of the handicap. The bottom weight, though, looks to have a chance too; Evan Williams’ Yorgunnabeplucky, another with Sean Bowen in the saddle. Just one pound above his latest winning mark, he should go well over this trip.
Our finale is a three-mile open hunters’ chase, run over three miles (4.18). The Twiston-Davies’ Good Boy Bobby is a very consistent type who, making his return having been off since March, could run a typically good race under a seven-pound claimer. Ben Pauling’s Slipway could go well too, also coming back from a break today, and One True King looks interesting too, after a decent point-to-point start in December.
Warwick is shown live on Racing TV, where you can also find Cheltenham betting offers.
Warwick selections - Friday:
1.05 - Mecene
1.32 - Lisnamurrican
2.05 - Inca De Lafayette
2.37 - Wa Wa
3.12 - Conniemak
3.47 - Yorgunnabeplucky
4.18 - Good Boy Bobby