Newbury

1.45 2m5f Class 4 Handicap Hurdle – Baddesley Prince 7/2 Max bet

A fairly exposed field and with just 3 runs to his name, Baddesley Place can just capitalise on being unexposed alone, he improved LTO in a decent looking novice 6 lengths behind Brandon Castle who recently boosted the form significantly when romping home by 9 lengths in a decent looking race, Brandon Castle won on a mark of 130 and will likely be raised by at least 10lbs to a mark of 140, Baddesley Place has been accessed a mark of 115 which leaves him looking obviously very well in compared. LTO he was staying on strong over 2 miles and looked like he wanted further, he gets his wish here over 2 mile 4 furlongs, the progressive gelding will only have to produce a display like LTO to win this IMO and if he has improved again since, then it could look the easiest win of the day.

Lingfiled

2.00 1m Class 5 Handicap – Motajaasid 3/1

Another very confident selection if it wasn’t for his draw which I’ll touch upon later, the gelding has a solid record on the AW for Richard Hughes that reads 18152, his last win came at Southwell over a mile in a good form race early December, 2 runs later and his last run produced a career best at this course which he encountered for the first time in a good class 3 0-90, they went quick upfront which may of flattered him in the end, but he had a lot to do and had to lose a lot of ground coming very wide to do it, but he was very eye catching in to get as close as he did to a well-treated Maksab who beat Group 3 winning Yafta off a similar mark in the past. Motajaasid performance needs marking up for that effort and is due to go up 2lb in the future, not only that but he drops back into a much easier Class 5 0-75 here. A lot of big positives, bit I am a little uncertain on the tactics, I’d like to see take up an early lead with the pace unconvincing on his inner, however if they decide to hold him up or he doesn’t break well, I’d be much less confident on his chances, either way, I think the bet is good and worth the risk.

Doncaster

2.10 2m1f Class 4 Novice Handicap Hurdle – Legal History 11/10

Although no wins to his name on the flat, he ran a few good races and was rated as high as 87, he moved to David Pipe yard late last year to try his hand over the jumps where his made a good impression under gentle rides, the handicapper has given him a rating 105 which compared to his flat mark looks very exploitable, so David Pipe wastes no time and sends the gelding handicapping, he also gets the aid of the first time cheek pieces which could be a huge plus in this weak race that won’t take much winning.

Lingfield

3.05 6f Class 3 Handicap – Merhoob 5/2

A very likeable gelding that’s been improving with age which is very uncommon for a sprinter, the gelding has a real liking for Lingfield with 3 wins at the course with his record reading 211122, his last run around here was just under 2 weeks ago where he went off a co fav and looked the winner when hitting the front over 1 furlong out, he however was nabbed on the line, maybe hitting the front too soon, he got his due rewards when winning stylishly NTO in a good class 2 0-105 race at Wolverhampton recording a career best, he is hit with a 6lb penalty and again will have to win off a career high mark, but Luke Morris booked again, a return to Lingfield and in an easier 0-95 race see’s him as the one they all have to beat.

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