Racing Chat - Saturday 20th January

[The Brigadier]

With Navan having to pass an early morning inspection I've concentrated on a decent enough card at Lingfield with four of the contests aired by ITV. 

 

Lingfield 12.15

Came late and fast to win over course and distance last time out on New Years Eve under Jack Mitchell to follow up his Southwell victory from 9 days earlier. Mark Rimell’s six year old is in the best form of his life and with just a 2lb rise to contend with can get the the hat trick up with Rob Hornby taking over in the saddle.

 

THAPA VC 1 point each way @ 7/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234

 

Lingfield 12.50

Ryan Moore makes his first appearance on these shores in 2024 with four rides at the Sussex track and can score on the second of them on Andrew Balding’s Juddmonte owned three year old Dark Angel colt Fire Demon. He’s making his handicap debut off of what appears to be a fair mark of 83 having made all to win a 6F Kempton maiden a fortnight ago. That form has yet to be tested but he has more scope than his seven rivals in this class 4 6F handicap and looks a good bet.

 

FIRE DEMON 2 points win @ 2/1 William Hill

 

Lingfield 1.25

An open looking 12F class 4 handicap which has attracted a maximum field of twelve. Roger Varian’s Amazing looks likely to be thereabouts but has to overcome the widest draw and preference is for the Stan Moore trained Raintown who can be backed each way. He’s two from three at the track and appeared to be coming back to form last time when runner up in a Wolverhampton handicap over today’s trip. David Probert looks a positive jockey booking and he can run a big race.

 

RAINTOWN 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5th 1234

 

Lingfield 2.00

A valuable class 3 1M handicap has again attracted a maximum field of twelve with the weights headed by a very interesting runner in the shape of the Roger Varian trained Dragon Icon who’s making his handicap debut in a first time hood having last been seen finishing a disappointing fifth in the German 2000 Guineas. He’s one to watch closely in the market. The bet however is the Richard Hannon trained Talis Evolvere. He’s shown consistent form on the all-weather and although he’s yet to race here theres no real reason why he won’t take to the surface. Raised 2lb for his latest success at Kempton he has the services of Ryan Moore which is obviously a big bonus.

 

TALIS EVOLVERE 1 point win @ 9/2 bet365

 

Lingfield 2.35

There’s £50,000 up for grabs in this 5F class 2 handicap which has attracted a maximum field of ten. Kevin Ryan’s Bergerac comes here chasing a hat trick and looks a player but it’s Mick Appleby’s Bedford Flyer that makes most appeal. He’s won four of his twelve starts on the all-weather and bumped into one last time when running the revitalised Clarendon House to 2 1/2L at Southwell in a race where the course record was broken. An easy course and distance winner in November he can run a big race under Lewis Edmunds who knows him so well.

 

BEDFORD FLYER 1 point each way @ 13/2 William Hill 1/5th 1234

 

Lingfield 3.10

The feature race of the days racing at Lingfield is the BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap over 1M 2F with a field of only eight. Simon and Ed Crisford took this last year with Al Agaila and can repeat the feat with their top weight here Oh So Grand. She won the trial for this contest 45 days ago by 1 1/4L from the re-opposing Queen Regent who is 4lb better off. I confidently expect Oh So Grand to confirm that form as he had the worst of the trip around the outside whilst Queen Regent saved ground sticking to the rail. The Crisfords also have Twirling here who will be ridden by Ryan Moore who hopefully can set the pace for her stable mate to attack at in the short straight under Jack Mitchell.

 

OH SO GRAND 2 points win @ 9/4 Unibet

 

Lingfield 3.45

A two mile class 5 handicap which has an open look about it although Rossa Ryan’s mount Two Past Eight appeals as one that will appreciate stepping up to this trip following a third at Wolverhampton in November over 1M 6F. Alan King’s dual purpose four year old has yet to taste success on the flat but today may well be his day in an eminently winnable race.

 

TWO PAST EIGHT 1 point win @ 9/2 bet365

 

 

 

[richard-westwood]

Wow ....horses are running like Blackpool donkeys at the moment ....just not turning up .....but the door has to swing back sooner or later ....  

12.15 ling 

Sandy paradise. 8.2 11/2 

Arctician.  8.2 9/1 

See you boy  7.7 

5pt Ew top 2 

 

2.00 ling 

Fantastic fox.  8.0 15/2 

Dragon icon. 7.7 

Al rufaa.   7.5 

5pt Ew fantastic 

Ew doubles all 3