Lingfield 10/10/08

[fintron]

4.20 John Gosden's Charm School is likely to be popular here given the manner of his victory in a Doncaster maiden and because he ran well enough at Sandown last time out in a conditions event. He runs off a mark of 89 today and had Steele Tango (a subsequent handicap winner off 85 who was recently beaten by just a head off 95) and Zaakharef (btn by only 0.75 lengths off 90- at Leics recently) behind that day. The winner, General Elliott, looks useful and finished 4th in Grp 3 recently behind Eagle Mountain, Bankable and Ordnance Row. Understandably, he is 5/4 for this and although it is tempting to look for an each-way alternative with the field priced at 9/1 or greater, most of the remainder look to have more on their plate. Michael Jarvis is in fine form and his filly Elysee Place brings winning form to the table after winning a handicap at Newbury LTO. She is up in grade and up 7 lbs in the handicap too, so will have to improve quite a bit to take this. The Witch Doctor is one I have napped in the past but he too is not get proven at this level. He was hampered LTO at Newm when 5th of 13 and eased 1 lb in the handicap here, but he is yet to win at class 3 level. So for this one I'm going to resist the temptation for an EW bet and go 90 % of stake on Charm School and a 10 % of stake tricast on Charm School, Elysee Place and Witch Doctor. :hope

[fintron]

Re: Lingfield 10/10/08 5.25 Fiefdom looks to have strong claims and goes in search of the hat-trick. His last victory came here on the turf course but prior to that he won on the polytrack here, and a rise of just 2 lbs from his last winning run may not be enough to stop him here as he races in the same grade once more. His draw in stall 1 won't cause any problems and the jockey that has partnered him to victory recently (Mathers) keeps the ride. 9/2