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15:05 Lingfield We start today’s action as we mean to go on with a flat race. It’s a shame, from a punting point of view, to see a non-runner to take away a third place but never the less I’m sticking with my selection. Catalina’s Diamond is a horse that has promised to deliver all winter but just hasn’t found it’s form but I’m sticking with her. The seven year old mare has racked up four all-weather wins at the course and ran it’s best race recently at Lingfield. A return to the course is an obvious positive and at a current price around 11/2 it looks too good an opportunity to miss. Of the rest the favourite Verus Delicia has to be respected with a top all-weather jockey booked for the ride but as a horse that’s very hard to predict it may be best avoided. The one I fear the most is the Denis Coakley trained Kuala Queen who makes her handicap debut and at the age of four may have more room to grow than today’s rivals but is one I couldn’t be overly confident in backing at a short price. Catalina’s Diamond (E/W if 9/2+)
15:55 Redcar Sticking with the flat but changing from dirt to turf as we head up to Redcar for our second pick. If the betting is to be believed this race seems to be a three horse race between Thankstomonty, Sir Lancelott and Loom Of Life and if truth be told my selection comes from this trio. The favourite, Thankstomonty, did well on it’s handicap debut to finish second last time and show it had improved markedly from last season. The David O’Meara yard are starting where they left off last year and has to be respected but considering it’s a favourite I couldn’t be with a maiden at these prices. Unlike the favourite Sir Lancelott has found itself in the winners enclosure on a couple of occasions. It won nicely at Newcastle on it’s previous start and it may have enough scope to go in again but I just have a feeling that the horse has done it’s winning for the meantime and may need to drop in the handicap before it is to go in again. This then leaves me with my selection Loom Of Life. The horse flies the flag for Yorkshire based trainer Richard Fahey who is rattling in the winners at the moment and despite finishing third to Sir Lancelott last time I feel it’s got an abundance of improvement left. It is now weighted much more favourably than it’s previous nemesis and could be an each way bet to nothing come the off. Loom Of Life (E/W if 9/2+)
16:35 Lingfield Our final selection of the day sees a return to the all-weather at Lingfield as we take in the last race on the card. A case can easily be made for most of the runners here but the favourite Starlit Catanta is more than worthy of it’s spot at the head of the market. A course and distance win last time out, a generous two pound rise in the weights and from a stable in form the four year old filly will be difficult to pass. One of my big concerns is the horses consistency and it has never racked up good consecutive performances and considering it’s price is continuing to shorten there seems to be alternatives out there. One of the horses I fear, aside from the favourite, is the Luke Morris ridden Apache Glory who seems to act at this course and despite being given a high enough weight certainly has a chance with all-weather maestro Morris onboard. My pick to end the day with is ridden by a top jockey who is in great form and Kieren Fallon sits on right year old Toymaker. The eight year old gelding is ultra consistent, racking up five top three finishes in it’s last five races. It’s safe to say Fallon won’t be sticking around for the last race for no reason and despite a question mark against how well the horse handles Lingfield it has to have a great shout for a top three finish at least. Toymaker (E/W if 9/2+)
by Rory Paddock
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