2 all-weather meetings today

The best races at Lingfield this afternoon are the 2 divisions of the 7 furlongs handicap at 15.20 and 15.50, both very Tpen affairs with 12 runners apiece. In the first division we expect the two top-weights Seek the Fair Land (James Boyle/ Eddie Ahern) and Santefisio (Peter Makin/ William Buick), to play a leading role, while Amitola (David Barron/ Jamie Spencer) is our choice for the later event.

We are always on the lookout for German-breds and our eye has been caught by Querido (Patrick Butler/ Robert Lucey-Butler) in the mile handicap at 14.50. The Acatenango gelding has an excellent pedigree, and is running here off the lowly mark of 51. Of course that is the result of his terrible form, but he has run several good races at Wolverhampton which is quite similar to Lingfield, where he is running for the first time.

At Kempton this evening, Estonia (Michael Squance/ Adam Kirby), who showed improved form to win over this CD a fortnight ago and is now only 3 lbs higher, can follow up in the 5 furlongs handicap at 17.40. The conditions race over 7 furlongs, the last race of the day at 20.10, was won last year by Andrew Balding, and he can take it again this time with Katakosi (William Buick - one of several jockeys riding at both meetings).