The 3.35pm at Lingfield tomorrow is a competitve sprint handicap at the higher end of the scale. There is £20,000 in prize money up for grabs so it's no surprise Nick Litmodden brings two of his powerful sprint stars to the fight, and with only 8 runners a return of some sorts for owner Nigel Shields looks on the cards.
As there is only eight runners - I'll run through them all......
1. Qadar - He continues to impress around here over 5 furlongs. His last effort around here was mightly impressive pulling 1 1/4 lengths clear of Fromsong. His draw in stall 2 might put him in the same problems he incurred when getting no run up the inside behind Les Arcs. The trip of 6 furlongs is also a slight unknown - if this was over 5 furlongs he'd be impossible to oppose.
2. One More Round - Nick Littmoden's 2nd representive, has put up three very good efforts in his three starts around here. Possibly missed his best chance last time out, and has shot up 8lb for for those efforts. This extra furlong might be to his advantage, and has the excellent Ryan Moore in the saddle - but this is a big ask.
3. Fromsong - Has quality form at 6 furlongs and is 5lb's better off with Qadar, add to that the 3lb that jockey Robert Miles takes off and he begins to look nicely weighted. He should be back to peak form now, this being his third run back since a mini break in December. He has a nice looking draw in stall 4, where he can either stalk or make the pace from.
4. Cummiskey - Has flashed his tail on occasions and there will be no hiding place today. Has the blinkers on first time, and is plenty high enough in the weights for what he's achieved to date, also has the outside draw in 8 to contend with.
5. Pieter Brueghel - Likes to make all the running, that is no easy task here at Lingfield and his lack of course experience my also count against him. He should win his races again this year, but may need a to drop a few pounds in the handicap first.
6. Hornpipe - A very well bred colt (dam won the Lowther as a 2-y-o) and interesting contender having his first start for Malcolm Saunders. He was very highly tried when trained by Michael Stoute last year in a couple of the most competitive sprint handicaps and for a 3-y-o, performed well. It will be interesting to see how he goes, but he might just need the run like some of the stables other early season runners.
7. Mutamared - A horse on the improve over 6 furlongs last season and another good season looks ahead of him. Unproven on the surface and without a run this year he faces a tough ask against in-form rivals. No surprise to see him contest the Ayr Gold Cup later on in the year though.
8. Saviour's Spirit - Has improved significantly over the winter and deserves to take his chance here. He is now facing the big boys though and looks to have it all to do off his revised mark. There are more races to be won with him, but I can't see it being in this class.
I'll post any bets in the race tomorrow dependent on prices.....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment