Yesterday’s Review
0.5pt e/way Bits And Bobs (97) – A strong race on the clock with the winner Silver Trumpet recording a career best (109) speed figure. The formline chosen was the correct one, but the selection failed to reproduce his strong form behind the winner from Kempton. It looked like the re-application of the blinkers failed to rejuvinate him.
Today’s Advice
How Impressive (6f 1y Hcap) – This Hugo Plamer trained five-year-old has been a bit of a revelation since winning in February by three lengths over seven furlongs at today’s venue. A quick glance through his form may indicate that seven furlongs is his best trip, but it should be noted that he had a wide draw, and was coming back to the track after just one day when failing by a short head at Chelmsford over today’s distance. His two most recent performances on the clock have been those of a horse nicely ahead of his handicap mark, and it is interesting that connections have put up five pound apprentice Brandon Wilkie to offset the latest rise in the handicap for today’s (3.50) Lingfield. He can race prominently, and I am hoping he tracks Intervention from his kind draw in stall five. Hopefully the ten pound that he receives from that rival can swing things in his favour at the business end.
Dear My Friend (8f 5y Hcap) – This four-year-old has proven to be one of the stars of the all-weather season since an impressive course and distance win on New Year’s Day. Thought highly enough of to run in the Epsom Derby, it has been clear from his three wins on sand this season that he looks out of place in the races he has been contesting. A prominent racer he looks like he has extra gears that the regular handicapper simply doesn’t have. A case could be made for the Julie Camacho trained Symbol Of Light on fifteen pound better terms for their meeting back in January for today’s (4.40) Newcastle, but it looks like the selection can find an extra gear whenever needed.
0.75pt e/way How Impressive (6/1 General 4 places) 3.50 Lingfield
2.5pts win Dear My Friend (7/2 William Hill/Coral/Unibet/Ladbrokes) 4.40 Newcastle