Lingfield, Newton Abbot, Ffos Las and Nottingham

More all-weather racing today, this time at Lingfield, where the 7 furlongs handicap at 17.00 CET is the best betting race. My Gacho (Mark Johnston/ Jean-Pierre Guillambert) could be an interesting runner here; he won 4 successive races last July/ August and has not won since and has now dropped back to his winning mark. He shares top-weight with Mishrif (John Jenkins/ William Buick), while Yankee Storm (Hugh Collingridge/ Jimmy Quinn) is going for a hat-trick here. A tricky race, with all 9 runners in with a chance, but My Gacho, who ran well last time at Goodwood, is our selection. The Johnston stable continues in excellent form and we also expect Amity (Frankie Dettori) to figure in the 3yo handicap at 18.00, with Rare Tern (Sir Mark Prescott/ Seb Sanders) the obvious danger.

There is jumps racing this afternoon at Newton Abbot, and here the best event is the 2 mile handicap chase at 16.45, where 5 of the 9 runners are CD winners. Classic Swain (Paul Nicholls/ AP McCoy) won a beginners chase here last time, and although this is a much better event, the 5yo is still improving and can score again.
Mark Johnston can continue on the winning trail this evening with Chilly Filly (Greg Fairley) in the 1 3/4 miles handicap for 3yo´s at 18.50 at Nottingham. Most of the runners are untested at the trip, but Chilly Filly has finished first or second on her last 5 starts and shapes as if the extra quarter-mile should be no problem. Also at Nottingham, the 5 furlongs conditions race at 20.50 has attracted some useful performers, including 10yo Les Arcs. who won the July Cup in 2006. However he has not run for 2 years, and Masta Plasta, whose team of David and Adrian Nicholls, have a great record in thse sprint events, is the selection.

David Simcock has a good record at Ffos Las and saddles two runners in the mile handicap at 21.05 there this evening, Dajen (Laura Pike) and King of Reason (Shane Kelly). Both should run well, but we have a slight preference for the improving Zero Money (Roger Charlton/ Steve Drowne), who can complete a hat-trick.