Friday 26th January
By UK Flat / AW (Northern)
AW - Lingfield 4.20 - HCap - Class 6 - 1 mile 4 furlongs - 11 run - Standard
This is basement level stuff and many don;t have much if any worthwhile form so far. It's possible therefore that one with some past form may revive and find a level it can win or place from at big odds.
At the top end of the market the likes of The Conqueror and Largo Bay are solid if unspectacular with The Conqueror perhaps the one for a win saver if you want one, I'm not convinced on this occasion. I think Largo Bay is very vulnerable to a closer coming over the top with a late run. Gold Standard for Tony Carroll lurks on a possibly good mark and is a classic of its type from the Yard and would not be a complete surprise if reviving but I think there is a better option at a big price.
The most solid horse in terms of a bit of each way value is veteran THE RESDEV WAY who is 1 out of 1 on this surface and seems to have found a new enthusiasm and although he'll need every yard of the trip he can surely come late with luck in running and mow down this field. The one at a very big price worth some shrapnel is SAVOY BROWN who was a Course and Distance winner here in March last year, usually needs 3-4 runs to get really race fit and looks very well handicapped off a basement mark of 46 at anything around the 50/1 early prices.
Tips (1) The Resdev Way / (2s) Savoy Brown - (take early price I've a hunch others may latch on to this one)
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NORTHERN - Sedgefield 3.55 - Handicap Chase - Class 5 - 3 miles 3 furlongs - 10 run - Soft
One to TRACK is Ballintogher Boy, very decent not so long ago and who has had a wind operation following some sub-par runs, if that revives the horse he could be one to follow.
Skyhill comes off wins off 91 and 97 and runs off 101 and is the one to beat and may be worth a small saver bet at your discretion. Eveque was a runner up last time but a flatter track may suit better than this undulating Course up hill and down dale, Largy Nights is a Course and Distance winner but just looks in the grip of the handicapper right now but a danger here.
I'm most keen and confident in ONESTEPATATIME who has an excellent Course and Course and Distance record and who should be comfortable off a mark of 100 and I prefer his chances to Skyhill. At a bigger price I think ROSTELLO is good value and the form and visual impression of a 3 mile win at Hexham in the Autumn bodes well.
Tips (1) Onestepatatime / (2s) Rostello