Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Newbury and Lingfield on Saturday. View selections below.
LANESBOROUGH (3.20) may be the answer to a typically wide-open renewal of the two-mile William Hill Hurdle at Newbury.
Ben Pauling’s seven-year-old was always travelling powerfully before stretching more than eight lengths clear at Doncaster in mid-December.
Runner-up Williethebuilder won his next two races, so the form is solid.
Lanesborough re-appeared in the 2m 5f Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton four weeks ago but probably found the longer trip against him, fading into fifth.
Likely favourite is dual bumper winner Let It Rain and Dan Skelton’s mare was returning from a 387-day absence when finishing a close-up third behind re-opposing Dance And Glance and All In You at Ascot before Christmas.
She travelled into the race strongly before lack of peak condition probably told in the last 100 yards.
Hot Fuss handled deep ground when running on stoutly to score at Windsor last time, while Wellington Arch, winner of a 20-runner handicap at Aintree in April, will surely strip sharper for his comeback effort at Windsor on New Year’s Day.
No horse in recent times has carried 12-stone to victory so the Paul Nicholls-trained top weight Tutti Quanti is looking to defy history.
Tutti Quanti has the form in the book to go close, however, with his course and distance success in late November being boosted by the subsequent clear-cut victory of runner-up Indeevar Bleu at Aintree.
Bucephalus, like a few heading to post, has made all the running in the past so the race is likely to be prove a severe test on heavy ground.
With 16 runners declared some firms are offering five places each-way.
The Skelton boys are doubly represented in the three-mile William Hill-sponsored handicap hurdle, with A PAI DE NOM (1.35) preferred to stable companion Tranquil Sea.
A Pai De Nom, a back-to-back winner at Cheltenham and Leicester on soft ground, ran well in defeat when third under quicker conditions in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton.
Tranquil Sea, a Chepstow scorer last October, has been dropped a couple of pounds after finishing eighth in a hot affair at Windsor.
POUR LES FILLES (3.55) can give a bold account in the three-mile limited handicap chase.
The winner of a maiden hurdle in Ireland for Gordon Elliott last season, Pour Les Filles made a successful start for new trainer Mickey Bowen when pulling 15 lengths clear on soft ground at Ffos Las in early January.
Knight Of Allen won over a shorter trip at Newbury in December and his most recent fourth behind useful Miami Magic at Cheltenham’s New Year fixture was solid enough to give him a chance now tackling less strenuous company.
Jig’s Forge wasn’t beaten far in a similar event at Cheltenham’s big November gig and can go well under top weight for the thriving Ben Pauling yard.
The ubiquitous light blue silks of Middleham Park Racing are well represented on the Polytrack at Lingfield where MONSIEUR KODI (2.55) can defy top weight in the 7f betmgm.co.uk handicap.
Richard Fahey’s gelding, a model of consistency, was a bit short of room over a furlong out before staying on into third at Chelmsford City last month. He can take advantage of this drop in grade under 5lb apprentice Warren Fentiman.
Richard Hannon saddled a double last Thursday and it would be no surprise to see Signcastle City, running in his own colours, take a step forward now eased slightly in class.
There’s a tip-top eight-race card at Warwick featuring the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and GOOD GIRL KATHLEEN (3.00) can concede 5lb to all eight rivals.
The track will be riding very deep and Irish raider Good Girl Kathleen should handle arduous conditions, having won on heavy ground at Cork in early December.
Park Princess and A Path To Ronda came out on the wrong end of a three-way battle at Haydock before Christmas, finishing on the heels of re-opposing Supreme Malinas. Both placed horses are now 5lb better off with the winner.
Tally Ho
Alan
Check out all todays Horse Racing Results and claim free bets.
NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
