All-Weather expert Simon Mapletoft advised 15-2 winner Homer Stokes in his first blog and followed up with winning nap Onesmoothoperator (7-4) last week. Here Simon previews the action at Southwell on Wednesday and Wolverhampton on Thursday.
Midgley Sprinter Set for Southwell Follow-up
Lightly raced sprinter THE BELL CONDUCTOR can follow up his course and distance win when he re-appears in the five-furlong feature handicap at Southwell on Wednesday (5.00).
Paul Midgley’s new recruit made the perfect start 12 days ago, defying a three-month lay-off to take his record at the track to two from two. Nicely drawn in stall eight, he can overcome a 4lb rise in the hands of top jockey Paul Mulrennan, who is operating at a level stakes profit of 34.24 points this season.
In opposition, fellow course and distance winner Show Me A Sunset steps up in grade off a 5lb higher mark while the three-year-old Mobarhin must prove himself over the minimum trip having been campaigned over further.
Whisper Has Big Shout on Home Track
Trained on the track, Scott Dixon’s filly GYPSY WHISPER can confirm the promise of two solid efforts on the new Tapeta surface when she runs in the MansionBet Proud Partners of AWC Handicap (5.30) at Southwell.
She was doing all her best work at the finish over seven furlongs last week so the step up to a mile looks ideal for the daughter of Helmet, who shouldn’t be inconvenienced by her wide draw.
Gypsy Whisper won off a17lb higher mark at Sandown last year for David Menuisier before being sold to race in France so is clearly well treated with Johnny Fisher’s 5lb allowance another factor in her favour.
Class Dropper Lincoln Worth a Gamble
Another local trainer Ivan Furtado can strike with recent recruit LINCOLN GAMBLE in Southwell’s six-furlong classified stakes (7.30).
Well in at the weights off a rating of 55, the ex-Richard Fahey gelding can build on an encouraging stable debut at Kempton Park now he drops back a furlong and down in grade.
He may have to be ridden more patiently from his wide stall but should be arriving full of running if he travels with the same fluency this time. He could also head to Wolverhampton on Thursday for a seven-furlong handicap.
King Filly Looks Probert’s Best Chance
Leading jockey David Probert can boost his championship charge on Alan King’s improving filly WHO CARES WINS in the extended nine-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton on Thursday (4.00).
She ran well in a better race than this at Lingfield Park on her return from a break in November and almost weaved a path to success at the same track last time, despite encountering traffic problems.
Probert will also have claims on The First Hurrah in the second division of the MansionBet Beaten By A Head Handicap (7.00). She has run well on both starts for Kevin Philippart De Foy, including when beaten only by a fast finisher over course and distance off this mark before Christmas.
Simon’s Best Bets:
Southwell (Wednesday):
5.00 The Bell Conductor (Nap)
5.30 Gypsy Whisper
7.30 Lincoln Gamble
Wolverhampton (Thursday):
4.00 Who Cares Wins