The victories of Farraaj and Slade Power on Saturday rescued us after a tough week at rain swept Newmarket. Farraaj was tipped at 12-1 so I hope a few of you were on before his price shortened into the miserly 6-1 SP return.
I haven’t enjoyed the best of luck at Sandown over the years so I’m steering clear of tomorrow night’s card and concentrating on the all-weather at Lingfield. This track is all about being in the right place on the home turn. Horses that run wide can lose too much ground and it is a deceptively short straight, especially if the leaders are still quickening.
Jockey Adam Kirby has made great strides in recent months and he partners the hat-trick seeking Annaluna in the two mile handicap at 3.10. She is nothing out of the ordinary but has looked as game as a pebble in winning her last two starts at Chepstow. In both races she had plenty of time to chuck in the towel as challenges came at her.
She is well in at the weights and my only concern is that Kirby keeps her on the pace on this course. If he can kick on before the turn, she may be hard to pass and Aiyana looks the most likely threat. Hughie Morrison’s yard is not in great form so I’m siding with Annaluna to make it three on the trot.
The Paul Kelleway Memorial Classified Stakes at 3.40 revives memories of “Pattern race Paul”. If you are familiar with the phrase “Tilting at Windmills”, that was often the accusation levelled at Kelleway with some of his more ambitious entries. He often had the last laugh with the likes of Swiss Maid and Media Luna.
My fancy for this race is the impressive Kempton winner Tenor. Like Farraaj on Saturday, he is up 9lbs but won with such authority that he is worth another try. The favourite is Knavery but he was not entirely convincing first time out, even if he did come up against a handicap good thing.
Finally I’m going for Clear Mind to continue John Gosden’s great run. She tracked her stable companion Seagull at Newmarket on her debut and didn’t quite have the pace to get to him. Nicky Mackay was on board and didn’t give her a hard time and she can win for William Buick at 4.40.
Annaluna 3.10 Lingfield @5-2 Paddy Power
Tenor 3.40 Lingfield @11-2 BetVictor
Clear Mind 4.40 Lingfield
