The weather is threatening to wash away the jump racing action in Britain this weekend with early morning inspections at all three courses. Given that the going is already described as heavy and the forecast is for heavy overnight rain, I fear the worst and think it would be a waste of time studying the form.
Fortunately the all-weather racing goes on regardless and I’ve managed to pick out a couple for a quick Saturday double. I expect Channel 4 will divert their cameras to leafy Lingfield if Sandown is abandoned so we may get some entertainment after all.
The ever-smiling George Margarson saddles Rebellious Guest tomorrow in an effort to follow up last week’s comfortable victory. I wouldn’t blame you if you are struggling to distinguish between one “guest” and another in the Margarson stable but this one was a useful two-year-old. He won two of his first three races but never really went on from there and has been toiling in handicaps on the turf.
He gained his first win for a couple of years last week when coming through sweetly under Jamie Spencer to win going away. That was over course and distance so we need have no fears about ground, trip etc. Tom Queally is on board tomorrow with Spencer riding market rival Apostle for David Simcock.
Apostle just about last home over seven furlongs last time and has gone up 4lbs for his win. A bigger concern is the fact that all of his wins have been over six and seven furlongs. With Rebellious Guest running off bottom weight, it would be disappointing if he cannot get past Apostle in the final furlong here. Margarson’s gelding is racing off just 86 and used to be rated 99 on the turf. Clearly there is room for him to improve from this rating.
Mark Johnston’s Blue Wave goes for a quick hat-trick in the coral.co.uk Handicap at 3.30. He is up 10lbs for his latest win at Southwell but he looked like he could go around again that day. He originally ran in the blue of Godolphin but eventually found his way to Johnston’s yard and ran some decent races on turf. Probably his best effort was when just caught by Van Percy at Haydock. Cathy Gannon managed to extricate her mount just in time to collar Blue Wave on the post.
He’s a son of Raven’s Pass and could still be improving enough to take this. He shapes like an out-and-out stayer so this mile and a half is barely enough to get him warmed up.
Lingfield 2.55 Rebellious Guest 7-2 Bet365
Lingfield 3.30 Blue Wave 11-4 888Sport, Unibet
