March 2016

‘Deadly’ Double, Friday, March 11

‘Deadly’ Double, Friday, March 11  In the 4.35 at Leicester, Some Finish is by the leading British jumps sire Kayf Tara and, after a slow start, has found some form over regulation fences in recent months. Robin Dickin’s 7-year-old failed to complete on his first two attempts over the larger obstacles, at Taunton and Uttoxeter, in January, but has since won twice over 2 miles 4 furlongs on this course and looks reasonably treated for his hat-trick attempt. A 7lb penalty is offset by a drop back into 0-100 company and he faces fully exposed opposition.

The 5.10 is probably best left to Dineur, now in the charge of Mickey Bowen after spells with Peter Bowen and Alan King. The 10-year-old was rated 137 at his peak and, although in decline, made a solid start for his new connections when second of nine, beaten 5 lengths, behind Night Alliance on his hunter chase debut at Ffos Las last month. All his wins have come over 2 miles 5 furlongs or shorter, so dropping back in distance could be a wise ploy.

Selections: Leicester 4.35 Some Finish, Leicester 5.10 Dineur 1-point Win Double

 

 

‘Deadly Double’, Tuesday, March 1

‘Deadly Double’, Tuesday, March 1  In the Ladbrokes Apprentice Handicap (5.10) at Lingfield on Tuesday, Eastern Dragon is with his fourth trainer since last August and was on a losing run of 17 prior to making his debut for Seamus Durack over 7 furlongs at Wolverhampton a week ago. However, better was clearly expected of the Elnadim gelding because not only was he sent off 15/8 favourite for that contest, but justified favouritism with something in hand, running on well to beat Calendonian Laird by a comfortable 1½ lengths. His previous success also came over 7 furlongs, at Brighton in October 2014, off a handicap mark of 73 so, even under a 6lb penalty, he looks remarkably well handicapped if anywhere remotely near his best form.

In the Coral Handicap (3.40), Cosmic Halo has been beaten half a length and a nose, in this grade, on his last two starts over course and distance and deserves a change of luck. A 2lb rise in the weights is probably neither here nor there for the Halling mare, who’s won off a 7lb higher mark in the past. She’s accumulating a lengthy losing run but, while she’s never won on a synthetic surface, there appears nothing wrong with her attitude.

Selections: Lingfield 5.10 Eastern Dragon, Lingfield 3.40 Cosmic Halo, 1-point Win Double