Horse Racing Tips on Sunday, February 27
There are just two meetings across Britain on Sunday, with the action coming from Fontwell and Hereford. Our editor has picked you four selections across the cards which make up our Sunday Lucky 15.
Bari Breeze (2:10 Hereford)
Trainer Milton Harris is enjoying a tremendous season this year and with his horses continuing to run in decent form, it could be the time for BARI BREEZE to register the first win over the smaller obstacles after a pleasing runner-up effort at Exeter last time out.
The seven-year-old was having his second run after recent wind surgery on that occasion and only found the well-handicapped Earth Business too good over the extended 2m2f trip. That return to form at Exeter came in a fairly decent contest for the grade, with three subsequent next time out winners emerging recently.
The slight step up in trip on Sunday shouldn’t be an issue for this former point-to-pointer and despite being raised 2lb for that recent second, Milton Harris’ charge may well have turned a corner and should have leading claims.
Gemirande (2:40 Hereford)
Local trainer Venetia Williams continues to have her string in red-hot form and it will be a surprise to many if GEMIRANDE doesn’t go close on Sunday afternoon on just his third outing over the larger obstacles.
The six-year-old returned this campaign on chasing debut at Southwell and put in a polished round of jumping before finding the finishing kick of Ahead Of The Field too much over 2m4f.
The heavy conditions encountered at Chepstow on his latest start put paid to his winning chance after leading for the majority of the way under Charlie Deutsch, however, he once again jumped soundly in the main and only weakened out of contention late on.
Gemirande should appreciate the return to a sounder surface on Sunday and it’s surely a matter of time before the six-year-old strikes over fences for connections.
Getaweapon (3:50 Fontwell)
A few of these come into Sunday’s race with something to prove but that can’t be said for Kim Bailey’s GETAWEAPON, who has finished runner-up on his last two outings at Exeter and Ffos Las.
The seven-year-old has been unfortunate not to win more than one of her six hurdle starts but has nonetheless shown her consistency, reaching the frame on four of those runs.
Kim Bailey’s mare seemingly appreciated the step up to 2m5f last time out at Ffos Las on testing underfoot conditions and although she found one too good, Getaweapon finished nicely clear of the third and was stying on all the way to the line.
The seven-year-old should deservedly get back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon and with the majority of her rivals having questions to answer in some shape or form, she rates a solid favourite and is a confident selection.
Hartland Quay (4:40 Hereford)
This is a very modest handicap hurdle and whilst the likes of Walkinthewoods have claims, it may pay to take a chance on one at slightly bigger odds. Nigel Hawke has sent out a couple of winners in recent days and perhaps HARTLAND QUAY can go two places better after finishing third at Catterick earlier this month.
The seven-year-old gelding hadn’t shown much in his opening three starts over hurdles and after seemingly suffering from an injury, Hartland Quay finally returned to the track after a 758-day absence.
Despite falling on handicap debut on return from a mammoth layoff at Uttoxeter, Hartland Quay has shaped with plenty of promise on his last two starts, staying on well to finish fourth at Exeter over 2miles before staying on to finish third in a conditional jockey’s hurdle over 2m4f after being well supported in the market.
A 3lb lower mark sees him lineup on Sunday of a very lowly rating of 73 but with jockey Tom Buckley able to claim his 5lb this time around, the seven-year-old ought to go close with the step up in distance unlikely to pose a problem.