SATURDAY WEEKENDER

13:25 Lingfield All of today’s selections appear on the all weather and we start off at Lingfield. A relatively decent class two handicap is where we go in our first. A mix of big time handicappers line up here and despite it not being the favourite I just cannot see past Geoffrey Oldroyd’s, course and distance winner, Alfred Hutchinson. The horse has never finished outside of the top three when tackling this course and distance and the last time it did it finished third behind Captain Cat in a much more competitive race than this. That seems to be the stand out form here and despite its more recent and disappointing turf runs it looks a serious player.

Of the remainder mentions have to go to fellow course and distance winners Rebellious Guest, who is so tricky to catch on a good day and current favourite Big Baz who’s last three runs have been very encouraging. Alfred Hutchinson (E/W if 5/1+)

19:45 Wolverhampton We take a big break between our first and second picks as we head off to Wolverhampton’s evening meeting. With Marco Botti’s Lexi’s Red Devil now a non runner this looks very much a one horse race to me. Jamie Osbourne’s Thanksgiving Day looks the most likely danger but I can’t see past the Godolphin runner Winter Queen who has a win on the all-weather last time out and in a race of this nature definitely has enough to be able to go in again. Winter Queen (WIN)

21:15 Wolverhampton Our third and final selection is the final race of the day in the last at Wolverhampton. A very open, thirteen runner handicap. A few course and distance winners coupled with a few maidens and various other handicappers alike. I like the look of course and distance winning Benandonner but at the age of eleven its best days are probably well and truly behind it. Another course and distance winner Elle Rebelle also looks a very lively danger however seems highly inconsistent. Another mention has to go to three year old maiden Bonjour Steve who seems to run pretty well when at Wolverhampton but being a maiden after nineteen runs doesn’t spark enthusiasm and although it may be good enough to place I’m not too convinced it’s a horse that wants to win. I am however going for another maiden runner. The three year old, Jo Hughes trained, Company Secretary. The horse is lightly raced but with two runs at Wolverhampton resulting in a second and a third placed finish it seems to like the course and although a maiden may have more to come. Experienced jockey Martin Dwyer takes the reigns and it has to have a great chance from a low weight. Company Secretary (E/W)

by Rory Paddock