Sunday Sermon from Surrey
Right then, gather 'round for a proper Sunday afternoon's entertainment at Lingfield Park, where they've served up six races of decent National Hunt fare on what should be cracking ground conditions. After 2mm of rain yesterday, we're looking at good, good to firm in places – that's a 90:10 split that'll have the speedier sorts licking their lips while still giving the stamina merchants a fair crack of the whip.
The Lingfield Park racecard reads like a who's who of the jumping game, with Harry Skelton seemingly riding everything that moves and the Twiston-Davies clan not far behind. Six races, £52,000 in prize money, and enough talking points to keep us busy until the Guineas next weekend.
The Feature Attraction: Radnor Hills Splash Chase
The pick of the card has to be the 3:27 Radnor Hills Splash Handicap Chase, a Class 4 affair over an extended two and three-quarter miles that's got more plot twists than a Sunday night drama. With Law of Supply pulling up lame (typical Kim Bailey luck), we're down to five runners, but what runners they are.
Nazare tops the weights at 110 and represents James Owen, who's been having a purple patch this spring. This six-year-old has been knocking on the door in similar company and gets the services of Jonathan Burke, who knows his way around this track better than most. The good ground will suit him down to the ground – he's never gone on anything softer than good to soft.
But here's where it gets interesting. Hall Lane drops down from Fergal O'Brien's yard carrying the course and distance winner's badge like a medal of honour. Jack Hogan takes the ride on this eight-year-old, and while he's 10lb lower in the ratings than the favourite, don't let that fool you. This fellow has won twice around these fences and knows every blade of grass.
Skelton's Sunday Special
If you're looking for value and a bit of Irish cunning, cast your eye over Sunset Boulevard from Venetia Williams' stable. Charlie Deutsch gets the leg-up on this six-year-old who's been campaigned sparingly but effectively. The good ground is absolutely crucial here – this lad wants to hear his hooves rattle, and with the drying conditions, he could be the each-way special of the day at what should be decent odds.
Meanwhile, Harry Skelton is having himself a proper day out with no fewer than four rides across the card. His best chance might well come in the 4:02 Welsh Guards Association Handicap Hurdle aboard Soleil d'Arizona for brother Dan. This six-year-old has been running with credit in better company and drops back in class here with the course and distance winner's tag firmly attached.
The Mares Take Centre Stage
The opening Mares' Novices' Hurdle at 2:17 looks a straightforward affair on paper, with First Candidate carrying a 118 rating that screams class above her rivals. Harry Skelton again, and this six-year-old mare has been mixing it in much stronger company than this. The course and distance winner's badge gives her a significant edge, and on this good ground, she should have too many gears for her unrated rivals.
But don't write off Silvereen entirely. This four-year-old from Henry Daly's yard gets Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle, and that's not a combination you dismiss lightly. The Twiston-Davies family know their way around a winner, and if there's an upset to be had, this could be the vehicle.
Value Hunting in the Handicaps
The 2:52 Lion Leintwardine Novices' Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles and seven furlongs is where the real puzzle lies. Briery Butterfly heads the market for Henry Daly, but at 94, she's giving weight all around and will need to be at her very best.
I'm more interested in Slack Alice for the Bowen father-and-son combination. Sean Bowen has been riding with real confidence lately, and this five-year-old has shown enough ability to suggest she's well-handicapped off 88. The good ground won't inconvenience her, and she could be the surprise package at a decent price.
In the mares' chase at 4:37, Regal Renaissance looks the class act despite her 110 rating. Sam Twiston-Davies takes over from Henry Daly's stable, and this eight-year-old has both the course and distance experience plus the class credentials to see off what looks a moderate bunch on paper.
Sunday's Best Bets
Here's how I'm playing this Sunday afternoon session: First Candidate to get the day started with a bang in the opener – class will tell in a moderate mares' novice event. In the feature chase, I'm siding with Hall Lane each-way for the course and distance expertise, though Sunset Boulevard could be the value play if the ground continues to dry.
Harry Skelton's book of rides suggests the Skelton operation fancies a good day out, so Soleil d'Arizona in the Welsh Guards Handicap Hurdle looks a solid each-way proposition. And to finish the card, Snapius under Tom Bellamy in the finale could provide a decent-priced winner to cap off what should be a cracking afternoon's sport.
The ground conditions are absolutely key today – this good, good to firm surface will favour the speedier types and those who like to travel strongly through their races. It's proper National Hunt weather for proper National Hunt horses, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see some fast times and bold jumping throughout the card.
