At the start of the season I had Den of Iniquity down as a horse that could be followed blindly with a fair chance of a level stakes profit. Backing him through thick and thin was the plan but with form figures of FP over his last two starts things just got a little too thin for my confidence and I missed him today when he came in at 12/1. Such is racing I suppose.
Anyway, ever onwards and tomorrow sees the traditional start of the flat season at Doncaster with the feature race being the Lincoln Handicap. Until its closure in 1964 the race was staged at Lincoln racecourse hence the name. I don’t have a particularly strong view on the race. Past winner Smokey Oakey will handle the ground and is not badly handicapped but his middle draw in probably not ideal. Top weight Mia’s Boy is a course and distance winner in soft ground and would be my each way selection.
In the 2.00 The Osteopath has ground conditions in his favour and looks a sporting bet at 16/1.
At Bangor Nicky Henderson appears to have found Viking Rebel an easy opportunity in the 3.15.while in the 4.20 Lothian Falcon makes his first appearance for well over a year. He has gone well fresh before and he is quite tempting at big odds,
In the 2.50 at Kempton both Cairnsnmore and Dansili Dancer look reasonably handicapped and are worth a close look. The 4.00 is interesting as a couple of new sires have runners. Takeaway (Sleeping Indian) and Johnny Hancocks (Kodiac) are the pair to look out for.
Gala Evening has form figures of 1112 at Kempton and with Richard Hughes on board is of interest in the 5.40.
There is a good jumps card at Newbury where the two I like the look of in the 1.45 are Carole’s Legacy and Calusa Crystal. Carole’s Legacy is unbeaten in 3 starts over fences, was second over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival on her latest start and has a good record when ridden by Barry Geraghty. She will do for me as Calusa Crystal may not have her favoured ground.
Donald McCain has his string in very good form after a bit of a lull and his Alegralil could represent value in the 2.15.
In the bumper at 4.25 the newcomers Kid Cassidy and Easter Meteor are both well related and worth considering.
I like to follow the careers of certain horses. Back in 2003 I had some very encouraging reports about a Michael Bell 2 year old called Temple Place who duly won at 20/1 on his second start. Four years later, by now with Donald MCCain he came to my notice again when winning on the flat at Chester at 50/1 beating the likes of Stotsfold and Blythe Knight. He has changed stables again now and runs in the Stratford 4.05 where he is the complete outsider at 33/1. Will he win? Probably not, but then you never know!
My two selections at Navan tomorrow are Gagewell Flyer (2.50) and Rare Bob (5.05).
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Jo Stockdale.
Be lucky.
ahorse 