Alderburn goes well fresh and runs in the 2.25 at Newbury after an 87 day break. The ground will suit him and he has the benefit of AP McCoy in the saddle. On the debit side he has to carry to carry a big weight and has gone up 6lbs in the ratings as a result of 1 length win at Kempton last time out. He should go well though.
Harringay represents our list to follow in the 2.55. Henrietta Knight’s mare won a decent novice at this track last season, but after a promising debut over fences has been disappointing in two subsequent efforts. The ground will suit but she will have to produce her best form to figure at the finish.
We are well represented in the 3.30 (the race won last season by Harringay) as there are 3 list horses involved. The lightly raced Miss Mitch won on rain softened ground last time at Hereford. Anything she achieves over hurdles will be a bonus as she looks to have a future over fences next season. Wyldello was also a winner at Hereford but on her last run was beaten in 3rd place at Kempton. Karello Bay won at Wincanton in February but was then beaten out of sight last time at Kempton.
I don’t think there is a lot to choose between these three. In fact Karello Bay beat Wyldello by a neck when they met in a bumper at Sandown last season. I will give Wyldello Bay my each way selection as her trainer Alan King is in such fine form.
Snap Tie is an interesting runner in the bumper at 5.05. He was an impressive winner of a Limerick bumper last season but was considered disappointing when only 5th on his last start. Subsequent events have put a different perspective on that performance though; as the winner went on to take the Cheltenham Festival bumper, while the runner up has won twice since over hurdles.
Annie’s Answer represents our list in the 2.45 at Bangor. She won a weak race at Huntingdon last time. She will have to improve on that effort to score here but she showed a good attitude at Huntingdon and has won in point to points and bumpers. She has an each way chance.
Kayceecee has been expensive to follow this season. He was well backed on his last run when unseating at Market Rasen. He runs in the handicap chase at 3.20.
Nobody Tells Me has failed to build on his promise as a novice hurdler last season. He is tried in a tongue tie for the first time in the 4.25. He is a course and distance winner.
We have a couple of runners in the 4.55.Launde won at Aintree and Haydock earlier in the season but has gone up the weights as a result and has struggled a bit on his last couple of runs. Fourty Acers won first time out at Ludlow but was then pulled up in heavy ground at Sedgefiled. He has had a break since then and better ground may well bring about a return to form.
It isn’t long now to the start of the flat turf season. As an appetiser there is a good card at Lingfield tomorrow. The listed race at 3.50 features a few old favourites. Border Music loves the all weather at Lingfield having won on 3 of his 5 visits there. He showed his well being by beating the track record at Wolverhampton last time out in listed company. Celtic Mill can boast some wins in decent company. He took the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Sandown in 2005. The fast starting King Orchisios did a great job for my list to follow last season with wins at 9/1 and 20/1. He was a winner last time out at Lingfield.
The big race at Lingfield is the Winter Derby at 3.15. There is a strong line up that includes Illustrious Blue who will be on my flat list to follow for the coming season. He has won 5 of his last 8 starts. Among his rivals there is Alfie Flits who won in listed company at Windsor on the final day of lasts season and Gentleman’s Deal who boats 6 wins on the all weather.
There are no runners from our list to follow running on Sunday.
ahorse 