Lingfield 23/1/09

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Re: Lingfield 23/1/09 2.50 Lingfield Northern Empire is well handicapped on the pick of his form as he races off a mark of 75 which is 10 lbs lower than his highest ever win (15th Jan '08) and 5 lb higher than his win over this trip at Wolverhampton last month. He arrives in good form and was a fair third behind Mogok Ruby last time out to add to three other solid efforts on polytrack previously. Interestingly, Jamie Spencer was in the saddle for his last success and Kevin Ryan calls upon the former champ again tomorrow as they look to continue their strong run of form together. In the past two weeks their record reads; Millies Rock 1st Safebreaker 1st Distinctly Game 4th Splash the Cash 10th Wotashirtful 1st Peter's Storm 3rd Mutamared 1st Tamagin 5th Majuro 2nd Shifting Gold 1st Harry Up 1st Spencer himself is riding as well as I have ever seen in the few years I have followed the sport and he has achieved an impressive strike rate of 25 % from his last 60 rides so is clearly in rude health. Northern Empire registered his last win in a lower grade but has been competitive off 74 and 75 in recent outings at this level at Wolverhampton and Kempton and with Spencer known to get a tune out of him he may be able to offer that little bit extra to lift him over the line in what looks a competitve little sprint handicap. Thoughtsofstardom has been in good form at the track but a hike in the weights makes life more difficult here, and Nickel Silver, despite an impressive win last time out, is also up against tougher opposition here now upped in grade. The latter also has work to do to reverse Wolverhampton form with Northern Empire when Ryan's horse had him well back when conceding 8 lbs. 13 lb better off tomorrow, Northern Empire is weighted to confirm his superiority over that rival, athough Nickel Silver has clearly improved since that initial clash with the fitting of blinkers and is likely to give him a good race as he bids for the four-timer. Chijmes isn't out of it at the weights but has a 60-day absence to overcome, Canadian Danehill remains well handicapped but only pops up every so often and Fromsong, who clipped his heels last time, would have probably made more appeal if Nickel Silver wasn't in the line up as a rival for the lead. Cosmic Silver has to prove himself in the grade and Bo McGinty would have held stronger claims with Fredi Tylicki on board (best efforts have come under claiming jockeys of late). Know No Fear is entitled to come on for a recent pipeopener at Great Leighs when behind Fromsong and there could be more to come from him, but with Spencer in top form and the possibility of first time cheekpieces bringing about a little bit of improvement, I think Northern Empire could be the each-way call at a price. 3.25 Lingfield Stand Guard is the epitome of consistency and Paul Howling's Danehill gelding simply ran into a well handicapped rival in Spectait last time out. He has continually finished in and around the frame this season and the handicapper has had no choice but to keep raising his mark as a result. He's 10 lbs higher than when winning at Kempton in November but a series of solid efforts subsquently would suggest he is still improving. Spectait has franked the form of his last time out second by scoring under a penalty last week for Jonjo. EW, 7/2 Bet 365 (3 places, 1/4 odds) 4.00 Lingfield It is not often I back a horse first time out in a maiden but I think Lacrosse could be one of the few debutants that can land a race on their first start. On paper, this Cape Cross colt looks to hold a super chance as he's related to Derby winner Love Divine. Hailing from the Michael Jarvis yard he warrants respect on the AW, and the trainer has some decent stats to boast too: he's 2 from 5 in the past two weeks (both of last two runners have won), and he's 16-62 (+18.04 LSP) with his 3 yo's. If his colt is to fulfill his Derby entry and justify his 150,000 Guineas price tag then he should be making a big splash here. The market will tell us all we need to know about his chances.