All-weather racing today

Poor racing is better than no racing at all, and that is the situation today (and probably for the rest of the week). No race at today´s two all-weather meetings at Southwell or Lingfield is likely to make the heart beat faster, but evry race is a new betting opportunity. At Lingfield, the best event is the mile handicap at 15.15 CET. John Best holds a strong hand with two runners, Halsion Chancer (Kieren Fox) and Elspeth´s Boy (Luke Morris); we prefer the latter, who was runner-up here last time over 7 furlongs after not getting a clear run. Final Verse (John Ryan/ Kirsty Milczarek), who is going for a CD hat-trick, is the obvious danger, but moving up in class. Ther are only 5 runnrs in th 10 furlongs handovp for 3yo´s at 15.40. Dark Promise (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) is the favourite here, but we just prefer Flag of Glory (Chris Wall/ George Baker). The two German-breds in the opening amateur riders handicap over 2 miles at 13.45 - Olivino (Bernard Llewellyn ( Isabe l Tompsett) and Defence of Realm (George Baker/ Simon Walker) could both be involved in the finish; both the trainer Baker and his namesake the jockey are currently in good form.