Hi all,
I’m back after a few days away. I got back late on Friday evening, so this preview isn’t as in depth as normal.
The freezing weather has claimed ITV’s intended meetings at Ascot and Haydock. However, they will cover four races from Lingfield’s all weather card and fingers crossed Navan’s jumps card will also take place. The Navan track was frozen on Friday so will have to pass a morning inspection but hopefully the warmer weather will have arrived, and they are able to race. If they do ITV Racing will cover four races live from the Irish track.
I will start this preview at Lingfield which we know will race.
Lingfield
2:00 – Planatadream is 1 from 3, 2 places over C&D but is on a losing run that goes back to September 2020. However, he’s run well on both starts since returning from a mammoth 819-day layoff. He finished a solid length 4th of 8 to one of today’s rivals Talis Evolvere at Kempton 14 days ago. He’s 1lb lower here and gets a 3lb pull in the weights with the winner and looks to have a good chance.
2:35 – Diomed Spirit completed a handicap four timer when winning at Wolverhampton 13 days ago. Up 3lb for his latest success and in a better race here but is thriving at present and another big run is expected with Hollie Doyle taking over in the saddle. Zarzyni was a 1 ¾ length 3rd of 10 to Diomed Spirit last time. He gets a 4lb pull in the weights with the winner and last time also his first run for 4 months. Not the easiest to win with but if all the cards fall right, he’s on a good mark racing in the first-time blinkers. Silky Wilkie has placed on three of his visits to Lingfield. He won the valuable Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh (5f) last April. First run since September but has gone well fresh in the past and should get the strong pace he needs.
3:10 – BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2f
The Lingfield feature race with £51,540 on offer to the winner. Behind The Scenes has run respectably in Listed company on her last two starts and is going the right way. Looks capable of a big run here. Miss Bluebelle is 7lb higher after winning at Wolverhampton last Saturday. Up a couple of notches in class today but given her present form could follow up. Oh So Grand produced a good turn of foot when winning the Winter Oaks Trial over C&D last month. Up 4lb for that success but she looks progressive on the all-weather and is a worthy favourite. Queen Regent was a 1 ½ length runner-up to Oh So Grand last time but gets a 4lb pull in the weights and the application of the first time cheekpieces could eke out more improvement in the 4-year-old.
3:45 – Gordon Grey was back to form when a 3 ½ length 3rd of 10 at Southwell (1m 4f) 11 days ago. Stamina to prove but if the 4-year-old stays he looks weighted to get off the mark for the first time. If the forecast strong pace materializes you must respect thorough stayer Smart Champion who is now 15lb below his last winning mark and if bouncing back to something like his best has a good chance.
Navan
1:55 – Navan Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) – 2m 4f
Harvard Guy made it 2-3 over C&D last month. He’s been hiked up 12lb for his latest win but he’s an improver and the hat trick look on. Fortunedefortunata won here (2m) two starts back and ran well from a 9lb higher mark when a 5-length 3rd of 13 at Leopardstown over Christmas. Should stay 2m 4f and has good claims. Drumbear must be respected back over hurdles and looks handicapped to go close on a going day.
3:42 – Hutchie was a good 4 ¼ length 5th of 17 to Morricone in amateurs handicap hurdle at Punchestown 5 days ago. Two miles was too short for him that day and a return to 3m for his handicap chase debut looks more suitable and I think he’s set for a big performance.
Betting Advice:
None of today’s selections are BOG at the time of writing but will be at 8am on Saturday morning.
Lingfield
2:00 – Planatadream – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
2:35 – Silky Wilkie – 1pt win and Zarzyni – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:45 – Gordon Grey – 1pt win – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Smart Champion – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Navan
3:42 – Hutchie – 1pt win – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Hopefully Lingfield’s and Fakenham will be able to race on Sunday. There’s a good card at Lingfield where it’s the valuable Winter Million card. ITV Racing are covering five races from Lingfield and two from Fakenham as well as the Thurles’ Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase on an eight-race programme on Sunday afternoon.
Cheers
John