Further Selection For Wolverhampton 27th Jan

5.40 Wolverhampton
Not the strongest race for its type.
Powerful Pierre was out of sorts when last seen and again on reappearance recently at Kempton and doesnt look particularly well treated at the moment.
Boy The Bell was well held recently at Southwell and does have winning form around there but is probably held by the handicapper at the moment.
Spirit Of Grace is the obvious front runner in this field, might get a fairly soft lead and the booking of Fallon looks a strong booking but has struggled on the AW so far and failed to see this trip out recently.
There has been a lot of money around for Let It Be Magic but hard to find a reason why only that he has dropped a fair way in the handicap having ran ok in bottom grade stuff in sellers and claimers mainly, but still remains a maiden. He has been gelded and starts out for a new yard but yard a little quiet at the moment.
Wishbone has plummeted in the weights having started out on a mark of 83, has been lightly raced since and shown next to nothing and now finds himself on a mark of 63 but needs to show something.
Hard to weigh Khateer up not beaten far in 3 maidens but starting out for a new stable after a 454 day absence likely to need the run.
Dunmore Boy showed a lot more last time out but that came in a 6 runner weak selling handicap at Southwell and now has to back that effort up returned here, does have a win to his name around here off a 1lb lower mark, but looks set for a minor role back here.
Resplendant Alpha has been kept busy this winter and perhaps signs of things were catching up with him last time out in a race that didnt pay to be held up though to be fair, that said he has looked to need further than 7f these days and is yet to win over 7f.
Monsieur Pontaven has been undone by wide draws and slow starts since staying on well here to score first victory on this surface November off just a 3lb lower mark. Wide draw again today no help but if getting a decent break and get behind the leaders he could still be well handicapped and remains unexposed on this surface and looks overpriced at 16/1.
That all leads me to Needwood Ridge who has shown recently he is returning to form under todays useful apprentice De Silva, his last win came off a 1lb higher mark. Last 2 improved efforts have come from wide draws much better drawn today in stall 2 and if getting a good start from inside draw and sitting a little more forward than recently he could prove well handicapped.

3pt win Needwood Ridge 11/4 vc
0.5pt win Monsieur Pontaven 16/1 vc

Selections For Lingfield and Wolverhampton 27th Jan

1.20 Lingfield
Welsh Inlet is just 1 of a few front runners in this field that should ensure a good gallop for the hold up performers to come to fore especially around here. He didnt get home last time out over 6f and should appreciate this return to 5f but has a poor strike rate and no easy task to dominate here.
Sherjawy has dropped a long way in the weights and although has shaped a little better than recent finishing positions suggest he certainly doesnt stand out as a winner waiting to happen and probably for another day especially with the yard struggling for winners at the moment.
Spic N Span is another front runner who appears here on the back of a 123 day absence and will probably need the run and doesnt look particularly well treated on his polytrack form (most winning form comes around Southwell on the fibresand)
Dorothys Dancing won twice around here in early 2011 in 6 runner fields has since been rather disappointing and although not beaten far last 3 starts again probably high enough in the handicap still 2lb higher than last win.
Chjimes is one of the underperformers of the AW season so far, usually wins his fair share with all his 10 AW wins coming around here, has dropped 8lb below last winning mark and has been shaping a little better recently but that has been over 6f and last few starts over 5f recently have suggested age has caught up with him being rather outpaced and may need 6f these days.
Cliffords Reprieve is a confident selection, he has been difficult to win with but did get off the mark in a weak maiden at Kempton over this tripped, shaped very well back in handicap around here over CD on penultimate start perhaps snatched up slightly when gathering pace but finished with some effect, the form of that race has worked out very well the 2nd winning since off same mark, similar story at Kempton early in the week getting going too late but finishing with some effect in a race where the winner made all and 2nd chased leader so did best of those held up and has sound claims in a race where most have something to prove.

5pts win Cliffords Reprieve 3/1 bet365

7.10 Wolverhampton
Nezenkha is bred to be a little better than this sort of grade but on what form she has shown to date the handicapper still looks incharge at present but yard going strong so has solid place claims.
Crunched is officially 3lb ahead of the handicap today having put in a decent effort in a claimer over this trip last time out, concern this is much stronger back in handicap now but good record on this surface 4 placed efforts and 1 win from 6 starts and generally consistent.
Priceless Art did well in NHF races has generally struggled under flat code mainly as he is very one paced so probably always gonna be better at Southwell on the fibresand where stamina comes into play more.
Not Til Monday has been in good form since fitted with headgear under both codes only 2lb higher for latest win on the flat and may still have more to offer but has previously been well held on polytrack off a lower mark before and yard yet to have a winner on the flat this year.
The market will tell the story as far as Three White Socks is concern but from a form perspective you have to be skeptical, having won super easy in weak handicaps at southwell in summer not seen since and now 14lb higher on a completely different surface and having to prove fitness here in a decent race for this sort of event.
Follow The Flag is a very strange one in this race and he has got a big black blob on my form study as I cant make my mind up and have hummed and harrred for ages now but he does look very overpriced at 16/1. He is not always the most consistent but has generally been holding his form recently only a length off the in form Emarald Witness last time out and well clear of the remainder of the field handicapper reacted with 4lb rise which now puts him 12lb above his last winning mark, but has won off just a mark 1lb lower before and although not getting any younger he clearly retains plenty of ability. He has never tried a trip anywhere near this far but the way he often gets going all to late suggests he is well worth a try at a staying trip and should atleast get a decent gallop to chase.
Rosewood Lad is as tough and honest as they come showing both those attributes last time out to get back up and in the end win reasonably well going away at the line last time out, handicapper only raised him 2lb for that effort which looks more than fair with Morris back in the saddle again. Never runs a bad race around here with 3 wins from 5 starts here.

2pt win Rosewood Lad 11/2 lads
0.5pt e/w Follow The Flag 16/1 vc

Selections For Southwell & Kempton 24th Jan

4.30 Kempton
Good race for a Tuesday afternoon a London Mile Qualifier aswell.
Veroon is generally conistent on the AW but tardy starts havnt helped his cause recently and generally looks handicapped about right at the moment so looks plenty short enough.
Opus Maximus is another that is a tough AW regular, undone by a race that paid to be handy in last time out, had several quick runs again recently and might be a case of handicapper has him for now and may need a break to freshen up.
Honey Of A Kitten made a promising debut for this yard but has bombed the last twice and looks very much a watching brief at the moment.
Still find it hard to see why Reachforthebucks is favourite yet again today having shown little in 2 runs for Guest, changed yards again and first time cheekpieces tried today. Handicapper slow to relent only giving him another 1lb today but is still 15lb above winning mark and therefore looks a big ask in this sort of company and unlikely to get a soft lead if ridden prominently again.
Tewin Wood reopposes with Maverick today and the latter is 2lb better off for a length defeat to Tewin Wood at Southwell, Tewin will need to produce another career best in a far more competitive event but is one of the potentialy front runners in this field. Maverick on the other hand has never gone beyond 7f and this should be a true test which is a concern.
Another that has stamina doubts is Chevise having done all her winning over much shorter, but did catch the eye last time out over 7f around Lingfield but would have prefered to see her drop back in trip rather than stepped up because although she went close time before over this trip at Lingfield signs then she didnt stay the trip so probably another day for her.
Just Bond is massively overpriced in my opinion at 16/1. Has a very reasonable record fresh and arrives here on the back of a 90 day absence, not at very best when last seen but by no means disgraced and given a strong gallop should go well on a surface he relishes with 45 runs and 8 wins and 12 placed efforts, nearly all at Wolverhampton and this will be the first he has raced around here. Not badly handicapped having won off a 1lb lower mark on polytrack and yard had a winner yesterday.
The other that looks overpriced is George Guru who went withing a short head of winning last time out over CD having previously won over this trip at Lingfield off a 6lb lower mark and returns here of the same mark as last time out which looks very generous, not seen for 83 days since having burst through stalls so clearly not straightforward and had to have a stalls test so probably explains the absence and should go well from a low draw.

2pt win George Guru 7/1 bet365
0.5pt e/w Just Bond 16/1 bet365

2.20 Southwell
Union Island hasnt been since landing a handicap on turf back in August only 4lb higher and comes from a yard that does well with their horses around here but may need the run in such a competitive race.
The Lock Master is a regular around here and often runs well here went close in a 5 runner event over this course over a mile that trip was on the short side and should appreciate the return to further but a 2lb rise in the weights in a stronger race leaves him looking vunerable especially after an awful run on the polytrack last time out (has won polytrack twice so no obvious excuse).
Tartan Gunna looks plenty short enough in the current betting having changed yards and hasnt been seen for 3 months and looked massively on the downgrade last year and despite tumbling mark failed to look like taking advantage of it and probably best watched with no headgear neither today.
Mazij looks the one to be with here and offers a bit of value in a competitive field like this. A previous CD winner last time out beating a reasonable yard stick in Follow The Flag by a length and he has since gone close on polytrack twice, only up 4lb for that effort and is on a sharp upward curve and showed a real likeable attitude last time out and has a lot going for her.

3pt win Mazij 10/3 bet365

2.50 Southwell
Hard to see past Even Stevens here who probably wont get many more opportunities on this surface and with nearly all the field running out of the handicap thanks to Colonel Mak he looks hard to beat. Up 5lb for beating Mottley Crewe who has to run from 2lb out of the weights today that took his CD record upto 4 from 4 and 6 from 7 around here and the use of a decent claimer to claim back 3lb of that rise and although not so well drawn today he should prove hard to beat.

5pt win Even Stevens 7/4 bet365

3.50 Southwell
Moataz is the one to beat on form having bolted up at Lingfield on Saturday off a mark of 48 and a 6lb penalty looks easy to overcome but this is a very different situation dropping back to a mile and fibresand debut and may just be worth taking on.
I was at Southwell when Miss Cato made her debut and she looked a reasonable sort in the paddock and didnt look like she would come on for the run but she duly obliged on debut in a seller over CD and connections were very keen to keep hold of her. A mark of 53 looks a workable mark given Spartilla won a selling handicap off a mark of 57 next time out and if she does strip fitter for the run she should go well given she is proven over this course.

1pt win Miss Cato 9/2 bet365

4.20 Southwell
Gracies Gift isnt getting any younger but does boast a decent 20% strike rate around here with 5 wins from 25 starts and several placed efforts aswell, had previously shown promise on 2 starts before going very close over CD last time out behind a potentially unexposed improver on this surface and that was a decent race for this CD and a repeat of that effort off a 2lb higher mark would see him go very close again although draw not quite so kind this time.

2pt win Gracies Gift 9/2 bet365

Selections For Wolverhampton 23rd Jan

3.30 Wolverhampton
Staying handicap with a short priced unexposed favourite and a lot of money about for another runner in the field for me makes another runner look a huge price.
With a small field theres unlikely to be a too strong gallop and that could find Kames Park out who is reliant on a very strong pace same can be said for Dart aswell and although she is in good form at the moment she has still been well held which would suggest handicap has her at present.
Cadgers Brig bolted up off a 14lb lower mark but has been found wanting off that higher mark since and unlikely to get a soft lead with Bow River Arch in the field she is consistent but that is about as far as her ability goes in my opinion she is very one paced and if she gets into a battle she tends to always lose out (still a maiden but placed 8 of her 10 starts)
Chabada is the unknown quantity making handicap debut having won a maiden at Southwell last time out, market principle clearly didnt run upto standard that day having since won and beaten the the horse that finished 3rd that day. The 2nd has also sprung a surprise at 66/1 in a maiden hurdle so big mixed messages coming from the race and a mark of 73 on the face of it might be a tad harsh having been made to work for the win but of course is open to improvement but not for me at current prices.
Wrote this about Maison Brillet on Friday for a race at Lingfield;

Maison Brillet bounced back to form last time out at Wolves over 2f shorter, fitness not an issue having been running over hurdles. He could still have more improvement yet as not had much racing for age and last win came off this mark over a year ago and very useful apprentice takes 3lb off and is 3lb ahead of the handicapper here and if proving as good over this trip could be hard to beat.

That was over 2mile and ran huge race only just narrowly being defied on the line, drops back 2f today but just as effective at this trip having gone well here over CD on penultimate start, quick run probably not ideal and a 3lb rise in weights makes things harder but he looks overpriced at 11/2

2pt win Maison Brillet 11/2 bet365

5.30 Wolverhampton
The top 3 in the handicap all have a lot to prove at the moment and are easily overlooked in current form despite all 3 being well treated on best form.
Dazzling Valentine hasnt done a lot wrong recently but handicapper not relenting quick enough and looks held at the moment with a career best required to land this.
John Potts might be another that is now higher enough in the weights, all 6 wins have come around here over CD but shaped as though handicapper had him last time out despite finishing 2nd in an amateur event but that form has taken plenty of knocks (except Kiss A Prince) so no surprise he failed to build on it last time out.
Vanilla Rum was a 6 length winner of a class 7 event last time out, up 10lb for that looks a little harsh and faces a big ask from a 1lb out of the handicap aswell so effectively 11lb higher today in better race.
Although Kiss A Prince was behind John Potts in that weak amateur event but he had been threatening to get his head back infront prior to that and duly obliged back at his favoured Lingfield beating Trip Switch by 2 lengths who won again on Friday very impressively so a 6lb rise shouldnt be a problem if coping with Wolves only had the one opportunity here in that said amateur race so might be capable of going well here.
Should Kiss A Prince failed to be so good away from Lingfield Strike Force might be capable of picking up the pieces who’s all 5 AW wins have come around here, ran a good race last time out over 2f further fading in closing stages so stamina probably stretched but still beaten less than 2 lengths return to this trip in his favour although never won off this sort of mark his recent efforts suggest he is capable.

2pt win Kiss A Prince 3/1 vc
1pt win Strike Force 7/1 hills

Selections For 22nd Sunday

2.20 Kempton
A wide open class 6 handicap over 7f not everyones cup of tea. But several of these could be overpriced looking at this. Bold Ring has ran well all winter and only narrowly beaten by Fedora last time out up 3lb for that effort and now a career high mark and best form around Lingfield.
Trojan Rocket was eye catching yet again last time out but so often he is and often gets going too late and might need to be ridden more prominently off this sort of mark and drawn out wide today unlikely to do so today.
Cut And Thrust has won his last 2 starts and even after reassessment he remains well treated off just a 5lb higher mark having won off a 3lb higher mark, but the fact My Jeanie got so close last time out shows the weakness of that form and this could be tougher from a wide draw.
Spin Again was infront of Trojan Rocket last time out (not a lot between that pair given he was 2lb overweight) and that was a return to form perhaps kicking slightly too soon, last win came off a 2lb higher mark and has won off 72 and placed on marks in the high 60′s so looks dangerously well handicapped on best form off a mark of 63 with Lucy Barry keeping the ride claiming 5lb.
Rapid Water isnt the most reliable but has run 2 good efforts from his last 3 starts but threw in a stinker in between those 2 runs, has slipped a long way in the weights and is another that looks dangerously well treated if putting his best foot forward having won off a 12lb higher mark on turf. Cheekpieces tried again and yard in good form so if going the right well looks overpriced at 14/1.

1pt win Spin Again 7/1 pp
1pt e.w Rapid Water 14/1 vc

2.50 Kempton
This looks between the 2 market leaders in my opinion Nibani has the potential to be classy but has often looked an awkward ride, won last time out beating Focail Maith who reopposes today on 2lb better terms and chances he could get closer. At the current prices Nibani looks very short considering the trouble he can get into and has stamina to prove over an extra furlong and not guaranteed a decent gallop that he is seen best coming off with potentially only one front runner in the field Ostentation.
Mataajir might have front runned last time out but I dont think theyl try that again today they clearly made too much use of him before he found a second win to run on again to close within a head of the winner Aviso, up another 2lb for that but a big step up in trip could bring about some more improvement on the back of that effort and at his current price he looks huge vale in my opinion!

2pt win Mataajir 7/2 vc

3.55 Kempton
A very weak handicap and I am very keen to oppose the very short favourite Fire In Babylon, showed very little in sprint maidens but improved for the step up in trip on handicap debut, very weak in the market though and only just held on that day and a 6lb penalty leaves him more to find over a furlong further aswell. Of course is the least exposed and could improve and strip fitter for the run but a chance is taken at the prices.
Kai Mook would have been of interest if she wasnt drawn out in the car park in stall 14 but she is a hold up sort that has been running well last time out chasing home a massive improver last time out, up 2lb for that effort and may find an easy opportunity than this.
For me Now was a massive eye catcher last time out having previously won the time before. She was held up in a muddling race last time out and came from a long way back that day and then when coming with her run she got snatched up before running on strongly again. Perhaps wouldnt have beaten Fire In Babylon but would have been a hell of a lot closer and gets a 6lb turnaround and remains unexposed over this sort of trip in blinkers and could still improve further yet.

3pt win Now 10/3 hills

Selections For Lingfield 21st Jan

1.55 Lingfield
No obvious front runner in the field here but Dancing Freddy and Sulis Minerva have both been known to front runner and there is plenty of horses that like to be up with the pace so should ensure an honest gallop.
Desert Strike will enjoy a truly run race, but all form has come over 5f and has more than once shown attitude and a career best is required under a penalty in a slightly more competitive field.
Reposer won when making all at Kempton off a mark of 78, now runs off 75 but has been held up since that win and shown very little but could be dangerous if getting out in front again. This is also a lot weaker than races he has been running and would be dangerous to dismiss for this yard and at 20/1 looks a huge price.
Dancing Freddy has to prove he is as good on polytrack as he is on the fibresand and didnt inspire at Kempton on last try but has been running well on the fibresand.
Sulis Minerva is worth more than the winning margin last time out having been eased down, travelled very nicely throughout and got a nice seem up the inside and travelled into the lead unchallenged, she wasnt put to test that day and may struggle in a finish if getting into a battle off a 6lb higher mark.
Loyal Royal is the one that was big price last night out at 12/1 I tipped him up at 10/1 and now into 8/1 he still looks fair, all his best is around here and although has been hard to win with in recent times he has been running well of late doing well last time out in a steadily run race where the winner made all, handicapper left him untouched which looks very fair and should run his honest race again if the gaps appear.

1pt e/w Loyal Royal 10/1 VC (taken last night)
0.5pt e/w Reposer 20/1 bet365

2.25 Lingfield
The weaker looking division of this handicap this one. No shortage of pace in this race with Captain Dimitrios, Punching, and Ice Trooper all out and out front runners with Captain Scooby and Hatta Stream both usually ridden prominently.
Hatta Stream has drifted out to a huge price in my opinion having won last time out over this CD beating a good field that day, only up 3lb for that day and has won off 4lb higher mark in the past and will enjoy tracking a strong pace from a good draw in stall 2.
Showboating was finishing well last time out but looks plenty skinny enough at 7/2 given she has only won 1 from 20 starts and never looked overly straightforward.
Speak The Truth has returned to his best with cheekpieces refitted but a 4lb rise for latest winner leaves him on a career high mark and will need to improve again in this field.
Picansort was 8 lengths behind Speak The Truth last time out and although a 4lb turnaround is unlikely to make a huge difference but he clearly didnt give his running that day but had previously ran a very eye catching race when probably going through with a winning effort was snatched up against the rail switched out having been badly hampered finished really well to finish 2nd and if reproducing that effort he should go close off a 3lb lower mark than last winning mark.

1pt win Picansort 10/1 vc
2pt win Hatta Stream 13/2 vc

3.00 Lingfield
There was a lot to like about Alben Star’s win last time out at Wolverhampton when making a reappearance for over a year and half off the track, has now won 3 races from 4 starts, he did well last time out having got away slowly and met some trouble but he ran on strongly and a 4lb rise looks more than fair and could easily be open to a huge amount of improvement only concern is of course the long absence and now turned out just 15 days later.
Should he bounce Lujeanie could pick the pieces up he looked better than ever when winning over CD in December, ran upto similar standard last time out off a 4lb mark again finishing well at Wolves and runs off the same mark today and with that form franked nicely by the winner. looks to have a solid chance returned to Lingfield.

4pt win Alben Star 6/4 vc
1pt win Lujeanie 17/2 vc

3.35 Lingfield
Mias Boy won last time out at Wolves 6 weeks ago, only just got up that day and may find this race a little more tactical which isnt ideal and a 3lb rise leaves him a little exposed perhaps off top weight in this field.
Tarooq has been in consitent form on the AW circuit this winter but in lesser races than this, got within 2 lengths of Lockantanks last time out but is only 2lb better off so leaves him with something to find against that rival.
Clockmaker beat Lockantanks back in December at Wolverhampton and Clockmaker has been running to a similar level in condition races since, he is only 6lb higher since that win where as Lockantanks is now 11lb higher so on that strict form line Clockmaker has the beating of Lockantanks but that was over 7f and Lockantanks has since bettered that form by winning his next 2 starts back over a mile and he looks the best out of the 2 and could still be on the up he looks as though he could take the step up to listed company in current form on this surface and a 4lb rise for latest win looks more than fair enough and could easily continue his sharp upward curve!

2pt win Lockantanks 5/1 vc

Selections For Lingfield and Wolverhampton 20th Jan

2.00 Lingfield
Red Current was 2nd well over a month ago and has to prove fitness again and although he was 2nd that day he was still beaten 6lengths and the form since then has taken a huge amount of knocks and now up 3lb hasnt won off a mark like this since 2007 so has it all to prove.
Maslak is up 4lb for an easy all the way success last time out, he had dropped a long way in the weights so is still potentially well treated, but doesnt win very often and hasnt raced over this far on the flat and has stamina to prove.
Maison Brillet bounced back to form last time out at Wolves over 2f shorter, fitness not an issue having been running over hurdles. He could still have more improvement yet as not had much racing for age and last win came off this mark over a year ago and very useful apprentice takes 3lb off and is 3lb ahead of the handicapper here and if proving as good over this trip could be hard to beat.

1pt win Maison Brillet 6/1 lads

3.40 Lingfield
Another chance is given to Idol Deputy to get his head back infront. He won a weakish class 7 event easily off a mark of 50 3 starts ago and has since bettered that form with 2 placed efforts and really caught the eye last time out, when travelling strongly throughout the race as if he was a well handicapped horse, probably kicked a little early that day but still only found a well treated Aviso and a rallying improver Matijaar too much and probably would only need to repeat that effort off the same mark to be bang there.

2pt win Idol Deputy 6/1 lads

4.10 Lingfield
Arkiam has been in good form recently but has shaped the last twice as if the handicapper probably has him just about right for now.
Shared Moment landed a nice gamble last time out, was given a rather a good ride under Amy Ryan, just as capable apprentice takes over the reins today, but a 6lb penalty leaves him a fair bit to find given he has never won off a mark this high before.
Storm Runner looks the safest option, he has won 3 from his last 4 starts and had a good excuse last time out at the weekend when meeting trouble in running and left with a lot too do in too short time but finished extremely well to suggest he is still well handicapped and Powell back on board today and won his last 2 starts on him and he looks the one to beat.

4pt win Storm Runner 5/2 lads

7.30 Wolverhampton
Thought Piccolo Express would be shorter than his current 8/1 odds. He won this race last year off just a 1lb lower mark and very rarely runs a bad race, not quite at best on recent reappearance looking desperately in need of the run to be fair have got into a challenging position before clearly feeling the pinch. Wouldnt be a surprise if he was to strip fitter and may have been aimed at this race to win it again for his small yard.

1pt e/w Piccolo Express 8/1 bet365

Selections For Wolverhampton 19th Jan

4.30 Wolverhampton
Dancing Welcome was an easy winner last time out over CD, but that came on the back of a break and now has a penalty to carryafter that success and she now needs a career best and 1lb worse off under a penalty aswell and yet to win back to back which is all enough negatives for me to look elsewhere at 2/1.
Several of these reoppose Dancing Welcome on 6lb better terms and although she beat Chester Deelyte by 3lengths she could still turn it around with a capable apprentice taking off a handy 5lb, she has been in good form this winter winning over CD and over 5f around here and she may still have more to come.
Gold Tobougg got off the mark in a very weak maiden and that form isnt worth much and didnt overly suggest she was close to adding to that last time out over 7f.
Suddenly Susan is worth considering having won well at Southwell in december but was knowhere near as good last time out off a 6lb higher mark and is now a further 1lb higher off new mark, although might be the only prominent runner several like to be up there so perhaps not the softest lead likely and not so good away from Southwell.

2pt win Chester Deelyte 4/1 vc

6.30 Wolverhampton
A massively wide open competitive handicap well worth having a look at!
Maven has been in good form recently since tackling the AW and longer trips and although latest win didnt come in the strongest race it has worked out well and a 2lb rise is fair, but not guaranteed to get a soft lead today which is the main concern.
Knowe Head is another that has been running well this winter but without winning, last win came in Sept off a mark of 56 now finds himself 14lb higher without winning since having gone close a couple of times in lesser races, cheekpieces also not worn today which he has run in last twice!
Chosen Forever is a bit of a stalwart around here with 16 runs with 5 wins, ran right upto his best last time out over CD when kicking too early for home, but is only 2lb higher since last win and hes not badly drawn for a prominent runner and could make his mark.
Postscript is well worth a small saver bet having only gone up 3lb for his first win around here over slightly shorter and now takes a big step up in class 6 to 4 but unexposed and open to a lot more improvement yet if this is too competitive!
The one that interests me the most is The Mongoose for the Evans yard who continue in good form. Wrote this last time out;

The other that interests me at a price is The Mongoose who showed plenty of promise in 2 maidens as a 2yr old, has since proved costly to follow in 3 starts last season but I was at Windsor when he made his seasonal reappearance and he looked a big imposing sort that clearly had some growing still to do. Has since left Stoute and been gelded and joined a stable renowned for picking up these sorts and getting wins into them and also in great form at the moment if he is ready to go after a 3 month absence he could turn out to be well treated off a mark of 70 especially on 2nd run as a 2yr old that looks a strong maiden.

He ran a most promising race and aslong as he doesnt bounce he could finish closer this time off the same mark and Morris takes the ride.

2pt win The Mongoose 6/1 vc
1pt win Postscript 11/2 lads
1pt win Chosen Forever 10/1 vc

Selections For Lingfield and Kempton 18th Jan

3.00 Lingfield
Not the strongest race of its kind to be honest, no guarantee of a decent pace with no out and out front runner which can often be dangerous around here but there are several in this race that like to be prominent so a chance a good pace is likely.
Desert Strike is not the most consistent and is a bit of a rogue at times as he clearly showed at Kempton on sunday when travelling sweetly and looking a huge threat to Stevie Gee but was ridden a little cockily and found little of the bridle, should have done better but possibly trip not ideal and drop back to 5f sure to suit but having a busy spell at the moment aswell and just couldnt be a backer at 11/4.
Triple Dream could be one of the pace angles from a good draw, often ridden prominently and been in good form recently, having run out an easy winner over this CD in December of a 5lb lower mark and respectable effort at Southwell latest when getting slightly outpaced on surface and perhaps didnt handle it so well worth another chance although had chances of similar marks in the past and always found it too much.
Black Bacarra is another that could race prominently although not always the best away, and also on a career high mark after an easy win at Kempton and will probably find a couple too good in this company.
Mandys Hero made all to land back to back races on the AW last winter, last was a handicap of the same mark as today but requires a leap of faith to back at present having been well beaten on 2 most recent starts.
Sherjawy has run as if his turn might be coming last 2 starts but up 3lb since last effort which is a worry and should be able to find easier races than this.
That leads me to Estonia who will enjoy a strongly run race and if getting that could be hard to beat in a small field. She is a touch genuine sort who ran as if still in form last time out in a race that was a bit of a joke. First start was a false start which is not ideal for sprinters and especially her as she often goes down early etc. as she is clearly highly strung and raced far too keenly in the 2nd race so worth another chance off just a 5lb rise for latest win, good record around here with 3 wins from 10 starts and just a chance she is open to more improvement yet given the right circumstances.

2pt win Estonia 6/1 bet365

6.55 Kempton
Very strong staying racing where a case can be made for most of these so just a quick run through of my thoughts;
Wild Desert regained winning thread in good style 3 starts back, 8lb higher now and shaped as if handicapper perhaps had him for now last time out.
Ascendant is relatively lightly raced for a 6yr old and perhaps still open to more, but didnt show enough for first start for new yard last time out and fitness not an excuse having been bought out of a seller from Nicholls yard the month before but is now 3lb below last turf winning mark but yet to show much on polytrack.
Wheres Susie is a consistent likeable mare but probably better over shorter although does have winning form over this trip but 8lb above last win over this trip!
Epsom Salts took advantage of declining mark at end of turf season when winning at Goodwood bettered that effort back on this surface, up 3lb for that effort which is fair enough but clearly not straightforward and now requires a career best off this mark but is 2 from 5 around here.
Chookie Hamilton looks a big price with a decent record on this surface with 6 wins from 18 AW starts and 4 placed efforts. Does have form fresh and gets to run off last winning AW mark, not had many chances over this sort of trip but does appear to stay it and could be a threat if ready to go at a decent price for a yard that have done well recently.
Dark Ranger is worth another chance in this field having held form well recently including over CD recently only just failing to get home infront of Right Stuff who is potentially still unexposed on this surface and ran really well at Newmarket twice in the Autumn ins tronger races than this. Spencer is an extremely eye catching booking given the run style of him and latest run is working out extremely well with 3rd winning next time out, 4th running 2nd next time out and 5th won next time out so form couldnt have been advertised any better.

2pt win Dark Ranger 7/2 bet365
1pt e/w Chookie Hamilton 11/1 vc

Selection For Wolverhampton 16th Jan

3.25 Wolverhampton
Warneford hasnt been seen for nearly 3 months since being claimed out of the Meehan yard when winning with great ease over this trip on turf in first time visor. New yard know the time of day with this sort of runner so would expect the market to tell the story but does come here on the back of a 3 month lay off.
With Hindsight won a weak course maiden over 9f (2nd has since won another very weak maiden) when last seen, makes debut for new stable who have been rather quiet recently and had chances off similar marks in handicaps on turf prior to the switch to polytrack.
Eyedoro made a promising debut but has failed to build on that effort since and looks one to tread carefully with at the moment although showed a lot more than recently when only just beaten at Southwell 4 days ago that was a maiden and will find this tougher back in handicaps and had a hard race that day and still needs to prove he handles polytrack having failed to beat a rival on it previously.
For me War Of The Roses looks a tad over priced in a race lacking much depth. Always been a better horse on the AW and has a decent strike rate with 10 wins from 38 starts on the surface. His run style always makes him look hard to win with but he does have a decent attitude and is never going to win with much in hand. Handicapper reacted perhaps a little harsh on the face of his latest win back in April when beating Money Money Money by just a neck but she has since gone on and had a great season last winning off a 12lb higher mark so it could be said he beat an improving sort and a 7lb higher mark may prove fair in time, he has form off much higher marks in the past having won off a mark of 81 in the past runs off 68 today. Badly hampered on recent reappearance in a messy race before it got serious but should atleast strip fitter and aslong as getting a clean break from stall 1 could make his presence felt in this field at a big price.

1pt e/w War Of The Roses 16/1 hills