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14:35 Lingfield
Away from the live action we head to Lingfield for this week’s Saturday weekender.
First up is the third race of the meeting, the 14:35, a sprint handicap over an extended five furlongs. The Roger Charlton trained Random Success heads the betting here, Two time winner at this venue Random Success has been off the track since September when she finished third over this trip at Bath. She goes well fresh and has contested better fields than the one she faces here. I have a feeling she may be better over six furlongs and despite a course record of 2112 the handicapper could have her measure. The likely skinny odds in a race where a few have sound claims is reason enough to look elsewhere.
With an each way bet in mind I have selected the Stuart Williams trained Doctor Parkes. Another who has historically contested better races but after a couple of sound efforts dropped to this level at Kempton he looks to have no issues with the surface. The previous two efforts at Chelmsford were not by any means below par and he should be able to have a say of this mark. He should be race fit and ran respectably on his only start here of 10lb higher. With a clear passage he could easily give the market principles something to think about in the closing stages
Pensax Lad comes here looking for a third consecutive victory, and off 10lb higher here he looks to have it all to do.
Doctor Parkes (E/W)
15:10 Lingfield
The second pick of the afternoon runs in the 15:10. A Class 3 Handicap ran over a mile and two furlongs.
Razor Wind is the hot favourite here. Likely to go off odds on here the Charlie Appleby trained colt is clearly the horse to beat. In the frame on all 7 starts it is very difficult to envisage him finishing out of the money here. As a betting prospect his price is off-putting as although his record looks good the defeats he has suffered have come in events where victory, according to the betting market, was expected.
The selection here will be John Butler’s new recruit Moonday Sun. Disappointing on his only start for previous trainer Andy Turnell a chance is taken that he can reproduce the level of form shown when beaten less than a length in last year’s running of this race. It is a stable which I would not usually select a runner from for several reasons, mainly because the market closer to race time usually provides a better indication as the their runners chances. This is a decent contest however, and based on the two efforts here in this month of 2014, especially his effort in this race, I firmly believe he has the ability to cause a real upset.
Ansaab should not be discounted in a race that could become tactical. Under a very good jockey in Ben Curtis he should be able to finish in the places and is a real danger to the favourite.
Moonday Sun (E/W)
16:50 Lingfield
The final action on the card at Lingfield provides us with the final selection of the afternoon. A one mile maiden.
A small field lines up here and my eye is taken by the Charlie Appleby debutant. Well related he looks to have been found a good opportunity to begin his 3yr old campaign.
Well-bred and from a yard that excel at the track Zoella could easily be a class apart from these. Hooded for his first start is a possible negative, although I prefer to take the view that on these belated first run connections will be keen to land the spoils and the presence of the hood is to ensure that the experience does not overwhelm her. The yard has enough horses to give them an idea of where they stand with the fillies that have previously seen a racecourse and Zoella certainly has the greatest potential in this line up
Of the runners that have the benefit of experience the Richard Fahey trained La Doretea looks like the one they all have to beat. In the frame both starts so far it is possible she hit the front to early last time, if those tactics are repeated she could once again find it difficult to hit the line in front.
Zoella (WIN)