Following two winners yesterday, Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's action.
13:35 Lingfield
Although the favourite Kingofhell is clearly open to improvement on his return as a three-year-old I feel he is too short at around 5/2 and preference instead goes to the Ed Dunlop trained NIKKI'S GIRL (best priced at 10/3). The daughter of Mehmas finished 2nd over this course and distance in November off a mark of 62 before getting off the mark at the ninth attempt over this course and distance 19 days ago.
That victory came off a mark of 64 in first-time cheekpieces and a hood under Hollie Doyle and that headgear combination is retained for this race. The handicapper has raised Nikki’s Girl 4lbs for that 1 ¼ length success and I think she should prove hard to beat up in class.
14:30 Wincanton
All five runners are in with a chance in this 0-135 handicap chase but preference goes to the only course winner FLAGRANT DELITIEP (best priced at 2/1). The Robert Walford trained seven-year-old has shown consistent performances at this course in his career so far with form figures of 421222 at the track.
Flagrant Delitiep was only beaten ½ length off a mark of 131 over this course and distance a year ago before finishing runner-up on his previous two starts over this course and distance off marks of 125. The handicapper has raised him 2lbs for his latest effort up to a mark of 127 where he pulled 10 lengths clear of the third and he should be able to continue his good recent form and hopefully go one better.
20:00 Kempton
The John Long trained MAGICINTHEMAKING (best priced at 10/1) is a two-time course winner at Kempton who has a further seven placed efforts including five of those coming over this trip of 6f. She added to that record last time over this course and distance when she finished 2 ¼ lengths behind the favourite Sir Gregory 37 days ago.
Magicinthemaking had to concede 6lbs to Sir Gregory that day but is now in receipt of 3lbs which makes her 9lbs better off at the weights and that should be enough for her to reverse the form. Sir Gregory has finished 3rd and 2nd since to boost that form and I expect her to run well with four places on offer.
