Lingfield stages the All-Weather Championship meeting on Friday with seven good quality races highlighted by the Coral Easter Classic.
It may not be Dubai World Cup night but the blue of Godolphin are very much in evidence once again and Tryster is likely to go off odds-on favourite. The four-year-old is on a winning streak of four after cutting down Grendisar to win the Winter Derby last time out.
I had tipped Grendisar each-way that day after a string of fine efforts but was hoping that Martin Harley would be able to hold him up a little longer. The horse only has one short burst of acceleration and practically pulls himself up in front so I knew what to expect when he led at the furlong pole. In fairness to Harley, it was a very slow early pace and he was probably frightened to get blocked off in his run.
Grendisar has now been in the first two in all of his last ten races and is again available at an each-way price. I’d rather take my chances on him that support Tryster at odds-on.
The All-Weather Mile has attracted a very competitive field including Mindurownbusiness and Sovereign Debt. We tipped both of them when successful at the last big meeting here so we are left with a tricky decision. Both Roger Varian and David Nicholls decided to bypass the Lincoln to wait for this and it is Sovereign Debt who is top on official figures. He is best held up so Joe Fanning will have to weave his way through a big field here.
There seems to be plenty of confidence behind Lexington Times in the three-year-old mile championship. He still holds a 2000 Guineas entry but has a tough rival in John Gosden’s Tempus Temporis. Blinkers seem to have been the making of the son of Dynaformer and he has run away with his last two races impressively.
James Tate has his stable in good form and I like the chances of Lamar in the Fillies’ And Mares’ at 1.40. She was just denied by Grendisar last time out and has most to fear from French raider Fresles. She was a close second to Intransigent here over six furlongs in November so will be familiar with the surface.
Lingfield Friday
Lamar 1.40 @7-1 Coral
Tempus Temporis 2.40 @3-1 Ladbrokes
Sovereign Debt 3.15 @7-2 Bet365
Grendisar 3.45 @6-1 Betfair (each-way)
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
