Andrew heads to the jumps meetings at Exeter and Sedgefield for his two recommended bets/trades on Friday, February 23rd.

EXETER 1.30

PIMLICO POINT was withdrawn from an intended run at Chepstow in December because heavy ground was deemed unsuitable but was allowed to take his chance on such a surface at Ffos Las earlier this month where he finished a modest front-running fourth at odds of 100-30, albeit after losing a shoe. He faces competition for the lead from TOP OF THE BILL, who is seeking a course and distance hat-trick, and he looks worth opposing. SPORTING ACE can also go from the front and the angle is to side with the other runner – the Evan Williams-trained HURRICANE HIGHWAY, the only one of the quartet likely to be ridden patiently. The six-year-old found only Top Of The Bill too good over track and trip last time and, with the softer going and likely contested pace to bring his stamina into play, can reverse the form. Back in the Spreadex 50-25-10 market or take a fixed odds price.

Recommendation: Back HURRICANE HIGHWAY in Exeter 1.30

SEDGEFIELD 2.24

HEEZTHEBOY won well at Hexham on his chase debut (1m7f) and was travelling well prior to falling over the 2m3.5f trip here last time. He’ll be popular in the market based on that effort but taking a positive view of a fall is rarely advisable, especially when that came at a track with easy fences such as Sedgefield. This century, last-time out Sedgefield chase fallers are just 18 from 186 when remaining over fences for their next start (9.7% strike-rate) and backing them blind would have returned a loss of £96.78 to a £1 level stake at SP (-52% on turnover). Those returning to Sedgefield were just two from 35 and the seven-year-old rates a sell in the Spreadex 50-25-10 market. Fixed odds punters might want to side with GREAT RAFFLES, who is gradually getting the hang of things over fences.

Recommendation: Oppose HEEZTHEBOY in Sedgefield 2.24

Please note that the picks recommended in this blog post are based on past performance and should not be considered a guarantee for future winning outcomes, and it is important to remember that spread betting carries a high level of risk to your capital and can result in losses larger than your initial stake/deposit. The views within this preview are those of Andrew Mount, professional tipster and journalist, and not those of Spreadex.