Dare I predict a favourites day at Leafy Lingfield today!

A wry smile on the face after racing yesterday as I couldn’t have been more wrong in anticipating result mayhem on yesterday’s cards. Southwell produced 4 winning favourites with the biggest winning price of 6-1 while Wolverhampton produced only 1 winning favourite and 12-1 the biggest priced winner. Take out the 12-1 and 9-2 was the next biggest price. Although we found a couple of winners and some nice priced placing’s, I still feel vindicated in leaving the cards alone.  After being so wrong dare I predict a favourites day at leafy Lingfield today!

A nice early start today at Lingfield Park opening at 11:40 with a tricky maiden with JALINGO and Billowing setting a standard that may well be surpassed by one of the debutants. Billowing appears to have gone backwards in its second run after a promising effort first time up. JALINGO progressed well enough on its second start to suggest that there may be improvement returning to the trip that saw it 3^rd to Sir Robert Cheval.

There is little to choose over this trip between DRIVE ON and Starlight Princess although the market suggests otherwise in the 12:10. DRIVE ON is chasing a hat-trick of wins and the manner of the last two wins suggest that there is more to come. I am not sure we have seen any evidence that the added furlong will suit Lady Frances.

GALICIAN has done run consistently well over this trip and to a standard that should be enough to take the 1:10. As the market suggests Loyalty is the most likely to chase the selection home.

It is difficult to choose between ARCH VILLIAN and Clerks Choice in the 1:40. ARCH VILLIAN has the points on the board whereas this is a little tougher opposition for Clerks Choice. On that basis the former gets the nod.

You can only assume that there has been issues for the lightly raced Absolutely So and its form figures suggest it should be respected. Equally Glastonberry and Panther Patrol should be respected given their record over the trip and are both big price for a horses that are seldom out of the frame. KUANYAO’s pen-ultimate performance over this trip was impressive enough to suggest it is a long way ahead of its OR and it is unlikely that the 6lb rise is going to clip its wings.

A return to form by Smokethatthunders could see it in the shakeup in the 2:45 and I feel this is more its trip than the minimum. Agerzam put in a reasonable performance when well backed LTO but I am happier to take GREGORI who has won its last two races unchallenged in similar company.

Most have had their moments in the 3:20 finale and Bold Ring, Prince Of Burma, Khajaaly and Victorian Number have all put in good performances this term but their level of consistency is questionable. This is not the case for LARGHETTO who has put in two excellent performances over this trip. Apprentice ridden in its last two runs recording a 2^nd by a head and a win, I am expecting a little more with stable jockey Shane Kelly in the saddle.

Good luck to you all ;)