The continued absence of meaningful jump racing had us scrambling to the Lingfield sands yesterday, but all was well as the 5f dash went absolutely to script with confident 2pt pick Gracious John landing the spoils at 3/1. (“Tuesday Races: Goodness Gracious…“).
We are forced to stay on the same Lingfield sands today as we wait and hope for the thaw to set in before the weekend’s tasty Cheltenham cards.
The quality is more typical of mundane midweek fare and a sure sign to tread carefully.
One in-form horse though has to be Makaarim. He is lightly raced with just eight career runs, and he recorded a first win last time at Wolverhampton.
That performance, off a mark of 84, was characterised by a sweet travelling style and a finishing kick. Those attributes transfer perfectly to this Lingfield track.
Trainer Hughie Morrison keeps on banging in the well plotted handicap winners and looks to have found a nice heat in which to seek the follow up win off just 4lbs higher.
Jockey Fran Berry is good form here and did the steering on yesterday’s winner Gracious John.
Market challengers Make Music and Mickey haven’t been seen for 7 and 15 months respectively and Makaarim can use race sharpness to prevail.
Recommendation: Makaarim (1400 Lingfield), 1pt win, 11/4 generally available
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