The first weekend proper of January is almost upon us and there’s plenty racing action to look forward to, including the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.
Before that, there are four cards across the UK and Ireland on Friday and we focus on the all-weather card at Lingfield (12.35pm-3.50pm, seven races).
Our tipster has a race-by-race look at the Lingfield action below and a reminder that you can watch every race from the UK and Ireland via live streaming when logged into MansionBet.
12.35 – Read Katie Walsh On Betway Insider Handicap (2m)
Getting away from SMITH is tough in this opener over just shy of two-miles. He’s won his last two starts, both over C&D, and remains relatively unexposed at the trip.
He’s clearly on great terms with himself having pulled eight-lengths clear of the field here five weeks ago. That form isn’t strong and he’s 8lb higher now but, even so, he’s got strong claims in this field.
Selection: Smith @ 6/4
1.05 – Mansionbet Proud Partners Of The AWC Handicap (1m)
Agent Of Fortune shouldn’t be judged too harshly on his latest Wolverhampton effort, given he was drawn poorly, and he could bounce right back now, while Porfin got up late to score over 5f here in midweek and is intriguing if turning out quickly to tackle this brand new trip with Luke Catton taking 7lb off.
HEADLEY GEORGE has had two near misses from this last three starts and he did well here in second last time after racing keenly and wide. Tom Marquand is a positive booking today and they have their claims.
Selection: Headley George @ 4/1
1.40 – Play Coral Racing-super-series For Free Handicap (7f)
A fair few of these are opposable and it could rest between Storm Asset and SURREY TERRITORIES.
The former has run two good races at Chelmsford and Newcastle lately and sports new cheekpieces now but Jim Crowley takes over on the selection, who was outpaced and left with a mountain to climb here on Wednesday before rattling home to finish a close fourth.
The extra furlong will aid him on that evidence and he could break his maiden if building on that pleasing return from a short break.
Selection: Surrey Territories @ 4/1
2.15 – Betway Handicap (5f)
Strong Power won well here four days ago and arrives in good tune, but he’s miles out of the handicap here and will do well to repeat.
Marnie James was second over C&D on New Year’s Eve under his usual front-running tactics, but he was no match for TONE THE BARONE at Wolverhampton prior to that.
Tone The Barone is racing from a 6lb higher mark, but he did it straightforward fashion three weeks ago and might well prove the one to follow again.
Selection: Tone The Barone @ 10/11
2.50 – Watch Racing Free Online At Coral Novice Stakes (1m2f)
Azaheer is a filly by Dubawi and while she didn’t achieve a lot in a pair back-end Newmarket maidens, she improved in first-time cheekpieces to go within a whisker over C&D last month and is a key player again.
Teofilo colt MHAJIM cost the princely sum of 200,000 gns and is a well-related sort starting out for top connections in what looks a very pleasing spot. John & Thady Gosden’s charge earns the nod.
Selection: Mhajim @ 9/2
3.20 – betyourway At Betway Handicap (1m2f)
No Flies On Me was last spotted winning over C&D in August and is respected on return from 3lb higher for the newly-formed Mark & Charlie Johnston father/son training alliance.
That form hasn’t worked out, so she may need to do more now. MARIE PARADIS remains a maiden but the step up to this trip in first-time cheekpieces brought improved form at Chelmsford last month as she was beaten a length into third spot.
Perhaps she can now build on that for trainer Amy Murphy with Stefano Cherchi back on board claiming 3lb.
Selection: Marie Paradis @ 5/1
3.50 – Play 4 To Win At Betway Handicap (1m4f)
A race in which plenty have questions over them but maybe not so for DEVIZES, who rallied strongly in the home straight here a week before Christmas to catch the eye in finishing a close fourth.
He was in cracking form early in 2021, winning four times (three over this C&D) by April and he’s now 3lb below his previous win-mark, while Rhys Clutterbuck further aids his cause claiming 3lb on his back.
With that excellent late rally in mind from last time, he’s worth chancing.
Selection: Devizes @ 2/1
*All odds correct at time of writing
