Wednesday 12th February 2025
1.55 Wetherby: wetherbyracing.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle: We get things underway at Wetherby on Wednesday with the 1.55 and this is a Class 4 novice hurdle over two miles and three and a half furlongs. I’m going to take a chance on Klapton Boy here for Nick Kent and Tom Broughton who takes off five pounds. We’re playing for places here as it’s hard to see past Wendigo, however, the Kent runner isn’t without a chance. He finished second in a point and second in his first start under rules, which also came at this track back in November in a novice hurdle. He should come on for that run and he’s got every chance of picking up some place money once again. Klapton Boy – 16/1 (Each-Way)
2.30 Wetherby: racingtv.com Handicap Chase: Next up is the 2.30 and this is a Class 4 handicap chase that’s contested over three miles. I’m siding with Champagnesuperover in this who represents Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen. He was travelling well last time out at Catterick back in January before unseating, and he went off the 10/11 favourite on that occasion suggesting that a return to form was expected. He’s won off considerably higher marks in the past and I suspect a bold showing could be on the cards here. Champagnesuperover – 3/1 (Win) (NAP)
3.05 Wetherby: Book Tickets Now At wetherbyracing.co.uk Juvenile Hurdle: The third race of the afternoon is the 3.05 and this particular affair is a Class 4 Juvenile Hurdle that’s ridden over two miles. I’m going to chance Mandarb for some place money here for Micky Hammond and Brian Hughes. He won twice on the flat in France and despite not beating a rival on his stable debut over course and distance back in November he was 10/1 that day, suggesting better was expected. The softer surface should also help on this occasion and I’ll side with him to finish behind the Skelton hotpot Live Conti. Mandarb – 25/1 (Each-Way)
3.40 Wetherby: Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: Moving onto the 3.40 now and this is a Class 3 novice handicap chase that’s ridden over two miles and three and a half furlongs. I’ve come down on Kilta here for the team of Sam and Jonathan England. He was last seen when finishing third behind the useful White Rhino at Haydock back in December, and most notably, his last success came off a ten-pound higher mark when beating the useful Dreal Deal at Cartmel back in May. If he performs to that level again here he’s a big player. Kilta – 5/1 (Each-Way)
4.13 Wetherby: Wetherby Racecourse & Conference Centre Handicap Hurdle: The penultimate race on the card is the 4.13 and this is Class 3 handicap hurdle action that’s also contested over two miles and three and a half furlongs. I like the unexposed Highlands Legacy here for Jonjo O’Neil and Jonjo Jr. He was a twenty-three length winner of a maiden hurdle at Southwell back in May and posted a fine effort when second of fifteen and just a length and three-quarters behind a solid yardstick in Firestream on handicap debut last time out at Wincanton in January. If he naturally progresses from that outing here I think that he’s got every chance of going one better in this assignment. Highlands Legacy – 6/1 (Each-Way) (NB)
4.48 Wetherby: Follow @racingtv On X “Hands And Heels” Handicap Hurdle: Signing us off for the day will be the 4.48 and this is a Class 5 “hands and heels” handicap hurdle over two miles and three and a half furlongs. I like another representative for Jonjo here and that’s Royal Rhythm who’s the mount of Benjamin Macey. He’s not been seen to best effect as of late, however, he won at this track in the past over two miles off a seven-pound higher mark. His rider knows the horse well having ridden him on several occasions and if he’s on a going day he should have enough in the locker to be competitive in a race of this nature. Royal Rhythm – 7/2 (Win)
