The pick of the prices at Lingfield....

Saturday, 20th January 2024

The pick of the prices at Lingfield….

There’s a precautionary inspection scheduled at Lingfield tomorrow morning – at 8.00am….

…. but it looks like we’re going to have a bit of racing to enjoy….

…. and I’ll be having a couple of bets in the handicaps….

First up – I’m taking a bit of a flier in the Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap Hurdle (2.25)….

…. and backing ALAPHILIPPE at the general 16s….

He’s disappointed over fences since his return to action this term – following a long period on the sidelines….

…. producing a sequence of form that leaves him with something to prove….

Perhaps he isn’t the same horse he was before his lay off….

…. perhaps he’s lost his enthusiasm….

… but he is small and – though he’s related to chasers – he hasn’t looked a natural over fences….

…. and I wonder if that’s really his game….

I think he’s a big price tomorrow on his first run back over timber since finishing second to Third Wind in the Pertemps Final at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival….

…. and on a mark of 135 – 3lb lower than his mark that day at Cheltenham – he’s entitled to go very close if he can fire again….

That’s a big if, of course…. 

…. but he’s only just turned 10-years-old….

…. he’s very lightly raced for a hurdler of his years….

…. a bare reading of his profile suggests he could still be progressive over the smaller obstacles….

…. and 3-miles, going left, on ground with cut (there’s plenty of rain forecast overnight), is pretty much what you’d think his ideal conditions amount to….

…. and Paddy Brennan being back in the plate is a bonus….

I just think he’s a potentially well-handicapped horse that could prove underrated at the price….

He’s one of those picks that can make you look foolish – but that’s the risk you take (and there’s no getting away from it) when you play the prices….

Later on the card in the Surrey National Handicap Chase (3.35) I’m having another big swing of the bat and backing BLADE RUNNER at 25s….

He’s pulled-up the last twice – and those PPs to the left of his name will be sufficient to put plenty of punters off….

…. but one of those was earned in a hurdle race – not his game….

…. and the other when taking a massive step up in class in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow over Christmas….

…. and he’d been progressive up to that point….

Tomorrow’s race is much more his level and – being a Plumpton specialist – it’s long odds-on this race has been a target for Chris Gordon’s team for some time….

Of course, the race isn’t being run at Plumpton (it was lost to the weather there) but Lingfield is no bad substitute (both tracks are sharp and undulating)….

…. and I reckon the 8yo is a big e/w price….

• Finally….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back next week….

Meantime – Contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd