15:30 Lingfield Park We start our day’s previews with what looks to be a competitive handicap. Reaffirmed steps up in class here today seeking his hat-trick; he sliced through the field coming from the back with a blistering turn of foot to just edge in front of the leader but he’s been raised a huge seven pounds for that win and may find a couple here today that may prove better. My selection and the main danger looks to be Black Vale; he’s only three pounds higher today than when he won over course and distance back in June; he can be forgiven for his latest run over a mile here last month as he may have needed that run after a three month layoff and the drop back to what looks his distance has to be a positive. Billy Red pops up from time to time at this level and there are too many questions to know which Billy Red will turn up, so it may be worth watching in the market.
Black Vale (E/W)
16:00 Lingfield Park
We stay here in the south-east of England for our second race. George Baker won this last year and has claims again here today on Pucon; she’s been knocking on the door as of late on the turf and won in a stronger field than this today over course and distance back in May; she is only three pounds higher from that win and has to be the one to beat today. Her two biggest dangers look to come from Seamster and Hamoody, the latter has been given a chance by the handicapper today and is a previous course and distance winner but he’s not getting any younger and may find my selection a bit beyond him today. The former likes to try and make all in his races but didn’t seem to cope with the rise in the weights from his previous win but he’s had a small break now and if he strips fit here today he could be the main danger.
Pucon (WIN)
16:50 Wolverhampton
Our last race of the day is a twelve furlong handicap for 3Yo+. Thunder Pass will probably go off favourite for this as he’s been progressing well and finally got his head in front to win comfortably last time out even though he showed he was still a little green; he’s been raised eight pounds for this today and may find one or two of these with more experience somewhat tricky. Rex Whistler is three pounds lower when finishing third over course and distance this time last year and with some creditable placed efforts on the turf recently he has every chance of taking one of the places again today. All The Winds seems to love it around here and won over course and distance back in April he was being tried over the hurdles during the summer which didn’t seem to suit and finally made his return back on this surface where he finished a respectable third earlier this month. He can race off the same mark again today and with that previous run under his belt he can get back to winning ways.
All The Winds (E/W If 5/1+)
by Christopher Roke
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