Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Lingfield, Haydock and Ascot on Saturday. View selections below.
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TARTINI (2.30) looks the value to halt the Aidan O’Brien juggernaut in the Betfred Lingfield Derby Trial.
The Irish maestro has been in rampant form at Chester this week and Sir John Lavery has been put in a short-priced favourite on the back of his very impressive Gowran Park victory in October.
Rain in the past 48 hours will have been welcomed by the Ballydoyle camp as Sir John Lavery handled the deep ground at Gowran Park, although runner-up Haripour was well beaten by Venice Beach at Tipperary last month.
Sir John Lavery could do little more than win by seven lengths and is trading around 14-1 for the big one on Epsom Downs. He is a sturdy big fella, so it will be worth noting how he handles the track with Epsom in mind.
Tartini was very much the John Gosden second string when Cracksman underlined his Classic aspirations by winning the Epsom Derby Trial last month.
Robert Tart had the mount that day and Tartini found trouble two out when tightened for room. His jockey wisely didn’t give Tartini, a son of Giant’s Causeway, a hard time and they ran on well into fourth spot.
Frankie Dettori takes over the reins and if all eight runners stand their ground, Tartini is a knocking each-way bet at 4-1 with some firms.
Pertemps sponsor a terrific mixed card at Haydock, with the Swinton Hurdle a must-see handicap for jumping enthusiasts.
The Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr could be an important signpost, with ZUBAYR (3.10) bidding to go one better after being pipped on the line by Chesterfield.
Paul Nicholls’ experienced five-year-old would probably have won that day but for a slight error at the final flight and he had Vosne Romance (fourth), London Prize (seventh) and Peace And Co (tenth) behind.
Davy Russell is a good booking by Evan Williams for John Constable, a last-flight faller at Aintree.
Multiculture is lurking at the foot of the weights, having mopped up three of his last four races for Philip Hobbs. Those successes came on soft/heavy ground in lower grade, so connections will be praying for some of the wet stuff.
With Jim Goldie going so well, Great Fighter shouldn’t be dismissed as he bids to complete a hat-trick, following wins at Ayr and Perth.
Goldie saddles Braes Of Lochalsh in the Pertemps Network Stayers’ Handicap over 1m 6f but he will need to step up considerably on a poor comeback at Doncaster.
Preference is for JAAMEH (2.35) running in the Hamdan Al Maktoum silks for Mark Johnston.
The four-year-old was last seen in the Melrose Stakes at York’s Ebor meeting when running eighth to Wall Of Fire. Jaameh tried to make all on the Knavesmire but was swallowed up two furlongs out. Aggressive tactics were in direct contrast with those employed at Goodwood when Jaameh came from a long way back to finish fourth to useful Dal Harraild.
Ed Dunlop’s Opposition won at Newmarket last May, so looks the type to come to hand early, but he was beaten 11 lengths when third of five runners on his last outing at Ascot back in July.
There are no fitness worries over Montjeni, staying on at Hamilton on Sunday behind the Keith Dalgleish-trained duo Corton Lad and Kensington Star.
If cavalry charge handicaps are your bag then the 27-runner Totescoop6 Victoria Cup at Ascot is the race to get the juices flowing.
William Haggas saddles two interesting contenders in SQUATS (4.00) and Fastnet Tempest.
Six of Squats’ last seven runs have all come at Ascot and he has hit the bar on several occasions, twice grabbing a place in tough handicaps won by speedy Librisa Breeze. Georgia Cox takes off 5lb and stall six on the far side could well prove a nice draw.
Fastnet Tempest appeared to have the Newbury Spring Cup in the bag until swerving badly in the final 100 yards, gifting the prize to Banksea. He is clearly progressive but has little in hand with fourth-placed George Williams.
The Richard Hannon-trained gelding endured a trouble trip at Newbury, weaving his way through from a poor position to finish on the heels of the principals. George Williams overcame trouble in running to score previously at Nottingham and will go close if getting the breaks this time.
Remarkable is another to catch the eye running in the familiar Cheveley Park Stud’s red and white colours. His second to Yuften here in the Balmoral Cup was a cracking effort and Kieran Shoemark is value for his 3lb claim.
LORD GEORGE (2.15) will be straighter for his comeback third at Newcastle behind useful Wild Hacked and Mistiroc following a 178-day break.
James Fanshawe’s four-year scored at Kempton and Yarmouth last season and talented apprentice George Wood still claims 5lb.
Roger Varian won this race 12 months ago and relies on Appeared, winner of a 20-runner York Handicap last May. Appeared bowed out with a third to Frontiersman at Newmarket in September and the stable remains in good form.
Mohatem is up 7lb for his Yarmouth triumph, while Mornington is on a roll for Marcus Tregoning and 7lb apprentice Tina Saunders. Mornington clearly relished the firm ground when scoring at Brighton and Bath but is a fair bit tougher.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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