Best bets for the horseracing this weekend
There were all sorts of contingency plans in place for this weekend due to the weather including moving the meeting that was due to start at 10.10 this morning over at Lingfield Park to the afternoon if required. Luckily the plans were in place with Ascot, Haydock and Taunton all lost to the weather! Saturday will be the third day in a row without jumps action in Britain, with Southwell's card the last jumps meeting to take place in the country on Wednesday.
Best bets for the horseracing at Lingfield Park
It being the Winter Millions meeting at Lingfield Park there is a fair chunk of prize-money up for grabs and some decent handicaps with fair sized fields.
The first race of interest to me is the mile Bet 10 Get 40 At BetMGM Handicap at 2.00. Dragon Icon was last seen out in Germany in the German 2000 Guineas at Cologne last May where he was fifth having won a Novice here over track and trip earlier in the month; plenty of subsequent winners behind in that race. After just the three starts there could be plenty more to come from the son of Lope De Vega and he could snaffle connections a few quid over the winter on the All-Weather. I am on him to get back to winning ways here at 9-2. Talis Evolvere with Ryan Moore onboard is the danger.
They won’t be hanging about in the 5f Build Your Acca With BetUK Handicap at 2.35. Diomed Spirit has won his last four starts, going up a total of 19lb in the handicap in the process, and I wonder if he’s new career high mark of 85 may prove too much here. Alligator Alley will likely be out the back early, usually held-up, and will need a little luck in running I think to make his way through the field late. Bedford Flyer has a great track and has won off a rating a pound higher than the 93 he has here. Stall One helps his chances, likes to be prominent, and is a tentative pick on his favourite track. I am on at 8-1.
Race of the day is the 1m2f BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies' Handicap at 3.10. Simon and Ed Crisford are looking for back-to-back victories in Lingfield’s BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap. Oh So Grand won the ‘Trial’ over track and trip last time, Queen Regent second, coming home with a wet sail down the straight to pick them all up. The second is 4lb better at the weights today but Oh So Grand certainly acute the eye with her finishing speed; she had to come very wide as well. The lightly-raced four-year-old should have more to give yet and is the pick at 15-8. Simon Crisford said: “Both Oh So Grand and Twirling are in good form and we have been very happy with their preparations for this race. Both of them will need to run career-best figures to feature, but we are hopeful that they are capable of doing that.” Miss Bluebelle is up 7lb for her three-length victory at Dunstall Park last time and the five-year-old may find her new rating of 87 a little too high. Storymaker is in fine form but needs to improve yet again as she bids for a 5-timer now up to a mark of 80 - started her run of four wins rated 65.Be lucky