Lingfield and Wolverhampton

Today´s two all-weather cards are of course far less interesting than the jumps meetings would have been, but Lingfield does stage a good handicap over a mile at 16.00 CET. This looks wide open, although quite clearly Prince of Burma (Jeremy Gask/ Ian Mongan) and Tarooq (Richard Fahey/ Tony Hamilton) have the best recent form. However this has not escaped the attention of the handicapper and they have both shot up the weights as a result. We will take a chance on veteran Smokey Oakey (Mark Tompkins/ Danny Brock), owned by Oscar-winning Judi Dench; his recent efforts over hurdles have not been great and he has not run on the flat for ages, but we have not forgotten the way he won the Lincoln in 2008 off a much higher rating. This is his first run on the all-weather and possibly the old boy will be inspired to a better performance. The 1 1/2 mile handicap at 16.35 is also a decent event, and our fancies are Exemplary (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) and First Avenue (Laura Mangan/ Fergus Sweeney), both winners last time over 2 miles, but in our view equally effective at this trip.

Lingfield - betting forecast:
1. Race: Monadreen Dancer - Graceful Spirit - Saucy Buck
2. Race: Marvo - Lutine Charlie - Twinkled
3. Race: Cut The Cackle - Waabel - Captain Dimitrios
4. Race: Chjimes - Diamond Vine - Court Applause
5. Race: Prince Of Burma - Tarooq - Titan Triumph
6. Race: Art Scholar - Exemplary - First Avenue
7. Race: Falcon`s Reign - Palmyra - Search And Rescue
8. Race: Roxelana - Burnhope - Infortual


The strongest field at Wolverhampton meets in the 7 furlongs handicap at 15.40. This is another open race in which both top-weight Hazzard County (David Simcock/ Laura Pike) and bottom-weight Tamareen (Richard Fahey/ Freddie Tylicki) are on our short list. Best bet here is 9yo La Estrella (Don CantIllon/ Dane O´Neill) in the 1 1/2 mile claimer at 17.15. He is almost unbeatable in this grade and has won 14 races in the past 15 months.

Wolverhampton - betting forecast:
1. Race: Monsieur Pontaven - Gala Spirit - Look For Love
2. Race: Piscean - Norville - Tamareen
3. Race: Son Vida - Aquarian Spirit - Archie Rice
4. Race: Maison Brillet - Mount Abora - Face Value
5. Race: La Estrella - Halla San - Country Road
6. Race: Performing Pocket - Place That Face - Strike A Pose
7. Race: Mccool Bannanas - Beetuna - Excuse Me