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SATURDAY WEEKENDER

13:25 Lingfield We look at the All Weather meeting at Lingfield for our selections away from the television action and first up is the 13:25, A six furlong handicap. Once again I have opted for the frustrating Lujeani. Knocking on the door here the last twice I was hoping that he would revert back to the hold-up tactics seen when successful on various occasions including over course and distance. It could be argued the winner last time had stolen a march and left the jockey with no other option but to chase earlier than ideal. He didn’t quite reel in the winner that day but if the visor has worked, and if today’s jockey George Baker is able to sit in behind a reasonable pace, a late challenge is very likely and he should be able, this time, to get his head in front. The danger here could well be the Adam Kirby ridden Gabriel’s Wawa. Going down by a very short margin last time over course and distance he was unable to land a small gamble that saw him backed into 11/4 favourite from an opening show of 4/1. It looks like connections have unlocked some ability in dropping him down to this trip and it’s hard to see him being out of the placing’s. The each way value could lie with Black Vale. Having recently returned from injury jockey Frederik Tylicki will be very keen to get back into the winner enclosure and he is definitely a jockey to note over the coming season. Lujeani (E/W)

15:45 Lingfield For the second selection we wait for the 15:45. A tricky looking Class 3 Handicap over five furlongs. It looks to be a battle of the apprentices here with both horses as the front of the market trying to take advantage of a jockeys claim. Charlie Appleby saddles Blue Aegean for Godolphin here and he is the likely favourite. Going down by four lengths to finish in third place last time, with both the winner and the second that day well backed. Blue Aegean drifted in the betting from the early prices up until the off on that occasion and today I expect the opposite. He drops in trip here and with Kevin Stott claiming a valuable 5lbs he will probably aim to lead from start to finish. He looks well capable of victory here and the form of last times defeat looks very promising. The one who looks to upset the party here is Field Game trained by Hughie Morrison. Another who gets a boost from offsetting the jockeys claim and looks to be the main danger here. Winner of his penultimate start he returned last time in a decent event but was unable to make an impact. He drops in grade here which should put him in the mix, but he has looked as if he needs his mind made up for him and benefits from a strong ride and he may struggle to get that assistance here. Blue Aegean (WIN)

16:20 Lingfield The final selection runs in the last on the card at Lingfield. A six furlong handicap. True Course looks to make it 3 wins on the bounce. Both career victories have been on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton but previously she has shown she can handle Polytrack when running twice last year at Kempton. Both her wins to date though have come over 5f and the extra distance looks to have been just beyond reach on previous attempts. That could be the issue once again and for that reason she is passed over. The selection here will be the Ralph Beckett trained Green Toranado. Second last time when chasing home a very well backed Nuno Tristan, William Jarvis’ stable landed a monster gamble there with the winner being backed in from 4/1 to 15/8 favourite. the 5th that day has also ran well here yesterday finishing second and with that form looking very interesting it will be Green Toranado that gets the nod over the treble searching True Course. The Richard Fahey trained Gabriel the Tiger is worth noting in the betting. A long trip down from North Yorkshire leads to thinking connections will surely be looking to upset the Southern trainer’s plans here and make the journey worthwhile. Green Tornado (E/W)

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