Horse Racing Tips on Friday, February 25
There are four meetings spread across Britain on Friday, February 25th with the action coming from Exeter, Lingfield, Warwick and Wolverhampton. Our expert tipster has produced their best bets across the cards, which make up our advised Friday Lucky 15.
Faitque De L’isle (1:55 Warwick)
This is a fairly low-grade handicap chase and perhaps chasing debutant FAITQUE DE L’ISLE could strike on the first start for connections after joining from Ed De Giles last season.
Despite failing to win over hurdles for previous connections, Faitque De L’isle finished runner-up three out of five starts over hurdles including on his most recent start behind useful winner Duc De Bourbon at Worcester last August.
The seven-year-old is bred to appreciate the switch to chasing and is a half brother to Venetia Williams’ Desque De L’isle who has won three times over the larger obstacles and held his form in decent company this season.
Connections could have sent the seven-year-old to a far less testing track than Warwick to make his first appearance over fences and considering the yard has enlisted the services of the in-form rider Charlie Deutsch, it could all point towards a big run on chasing debut from Faitque De L’isle.
Friday Lucky 15 Tips. In-form jockey Charlie Deutsch can land the second contest at Warwick with Faitque De L’isle.
Young Butler (3:20 Exeter)
The step up to 3miles should very much suit YOUNG BUTLER, who has shown plenty of ability in his four starts over hurdles for trainer Emma Lavelle this campaign.
Emma Lavelle’s charge made a bright start to life over hurdles when finishing third behind Paul Nicholls’ exciting novice Stage Star at Chepstow last October. However, the six-year-old was quick to go two places better on the following occasion over that same course and distance, staying on best of all to land a maiden hurdle at the Welsh venue by 1.5l.
Despite pulling up on sole start in handicap company at Ascot on penultimate start, Young Butler returned to winning ways at Plumpton in a novice when again highlighting his staying credentials to win going away at the line over 2m4f.
The six-year-old should find Friday’s handicap contest significantly easier than the one he line up in back in December at Ascot and with potential improvement to come over 3miles, Young Butler rates a solid selection and can record a third win over timber.
Pemberley (3:50 Exeter)
It could be a quickfire double for trainer and jockey as they look to have leading claims with PEMBERLEY who should appreciate another thorough stamina test as he lines up in the Devon National.
The nine-year-old has proven to be a fairly consistent sort since racing over the larger obstacles and after returning with a runner-up effort at Lingfield last November, Pemberley landed a first career win over fences when needing every yard of Warwick’s 3mile trip to defeat Frisco Bay by 0.5l after rallying well in the closing stages.
That strong staying performance prompted connections to run him in the Sussex National at Plumpton where Emma Lavelle’s charge ran an encouraging race on first start above 3miles, only finding course regular Go Whatever too good over 3m4f.
Despite falling in the Surrey National at Lingfield when last seen, the nine-year-old remains on the same mark and is still very much unexposed over marathon trips and connections will be confident he can get back on track on Friday afternoon.
Racing tips for Friday. Emma Lavelle can get amongst the winners at Exeter.
Sandie’s Dream (4:05 Lingfield)
Marco Botti has his team in decent form at the moment and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see SANDIE’S DREAM shed the maiden tag after catching the eye in first-time blinkers when last seen at Wolverhampton over 7f.
The three-year-old shaped with promise on the turf last campaign for the yard but has seemingly appreciated the switch to the all-weather surface in recent outings. Marco Botti’s filly ran an encouraging race on seasonal return at Newcastle before narrowly losing out at Southwell, staying on well in the closing stages under Daniel Muscutt over 7f.
Sandie’s Dream has been unfortunate to meet interference in running on her latest starts at Wolverhampton, but shaped encouragingly last time out when blinkers were applied, staying on late in the day to finish third after being denied a clear run in the final couple of furlongs.
Connections have wisely decided to step the filly up to 1mile on Friday and with the handicapper dropping her a further 2lb to a mark of 53, she looks weighted to go close and can deservedly gain a first career success.