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14:20 Lingfield
We start with a selection in the opening race of the day at Lingfield where they are racing on their turf track.
Mark Johnston’s runners are going well and this is a track that should suit Muhadathat. Front-runners are something to usually look for here, especially if they have low draws. With the Johnston runner coming from stall two he fits the criteria so far. She has three runs under her belt and she won quite takingly on her second start at Musselburgh on similar ground. Her latest start it didn’t seem she handled the Chester track but ran well in defeat. Off her mark of 86 she still looks to have potential to go well and we know Johnston runners get better for their experience.
Lil’s Joy races prominently and from stall one should go well. Her first three starts showed promise but she disappointed last time out. Her third start was in a Listed Race at York where she was sixth but on three-and-a-half lengths behind Delizia. She made her debut in a race won by Buratino. Her best race came with some cut in the ground. Raj to Riches is the most exposed having ran in seven maidens and is still to get off the mark. He has three seconds to his name and will try to get to the front, which would be a concern as Muhadathat and he may try to cut each others throats early setting it up for a closer. Off a mark of 77 he may still have some scope but he has been heavily raced since his debut.
Another one likely to be prominent is the Richard Hannon runner Ower Fly. He placed on his first three starts, winning his second. At the start of June he ran well in a Class 4 race at Windsor and this is down in grade. The winner of that Windsor race was Besharah and she went on to finish third in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, while the second Whatdoiwantthatfor has won on her next two starts. Drawn in stall seven would be the slight concern but he is one to break well. Overall he looks a likely danger to the selection.
Muhadathat (WIN)
16:00 Catterick
Cape Lion makes his handicap debut and is the most interesting of this field. Mark Johnston’s colt has had three career starts he has placed on two occasions. An opening mark of 67 looks fair however with his connections looking to get off the mark it looked like they would drop him in trip to 6f because he has looked a little one paced in the closing stages of races at this distance. Over time he will be one to step up in trip looking at his pedigree.
Fergal Lynch had a good Monday at Ayr. From his seven rides he had two winners and two seconds. He is riding very well and on board Saltarello he could be one at an each-way price to be looking at. He is off a falling mark and back to his best trip should go well for Marjorie Fife. His last win came off a mark of 68 and he runs off 66 here, so connections will be hoping for a good showing. Debt Free Dame has showed her best form so far on the all-weather and over a furlong shorter. That is a concern plus a rising mark when she isn’t winning,
Father Bertie got his head in front at Wetherby last time out in a Maiden Auction Stakes. At the same trip he could be able to build on that win here as he is able to run off the same mark. It was a straightforward win, keeping prominent before going past the leader and staying on well. It was a good opportunity to win and this could be similar. The cheekpieces are on for the first time and may eek out that bit more from him.
Father Bertie (WIN)
18:20 Kempton
The final selection comes in the first race on the Kempton card, which is a seven-furlong race for apprentices and 13 runners are set to go to post.
Spinning Cobblers is in some fine form of late having won three of his last four races. All three of those wins have come on the all-weather tracks including one here. For those wins his mark has risen to 63 from 50. Here he has Aaron Jones on board, who won on him at Wolverhampton plus 3lb are taken off putting onto a mark of 60, which he won off two starts ago. He is definitely capable in a race of this nature and Aaron Jones is a capable pilot.
This is the track where George Baker does most of his running. He has had 16 starts here winning twice and placing once. This eight-year-old has become more consistent of late and with Callum Shepherd taking 5lb off is back to just under his last winning mark. He is well drawn in stall four and can be kept prominent before making a late challenge. The jockey has won two races from 13, so he should have a good understanding of the track.
Diamonds A Dancing showed progress at the backend of last season when winning here twice before completing the hat-trick at Wolverhampton. Looking at his record it is Franny Norton who gets the best tune out of him. He returns from a 237-day absence and will probably be better for this run. Water Dancer hasn’t shown too much so far however blinkers replace the cheekpieces and could work the oracle.
Ciaran McKee has a lot of rides on Clement, so they have a fairly good understanding. His falling mark looks very workable and with the visor replacing cheekpieces he is another that could outrun his odds.
George Baker (E/W if 9/2+)