19 January 2024 , 16:16
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SMITH (3.45) might have a common name but he’s an unusually big price in the final race at Lingfield this afternoon.
Lydia Richards’ stayer knows his way around this track. It will be his 15 th run on the course’s all-weather surface and he’s got a pretty impressive record over this near 2m distance.
In a dozen runs over this track and trip, he has won half of them and finished in the places in another couple.
His form this winter isn’t as inspiring but he might have just needed those two efforts to bring him to the boil.
The handicapper has cut him a bit of slack and he’s now lower in the weights than he was when successful over this course and distance last February. Have 2pts each-way at 16-1. Several bookies are paying out on four places.
SANDY PARADISE (12.15) is a regular on the all-weather but this will be just his second visit to Lingfield.
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His first resulted in a smooth win 18 months ago and he’s since notched up three victories on the sand at Kempton.
He’s run two sound races since returning from a six-month break. He was caught a bit wide on his comeback run and backed it up with a solid third in a higher grade than today’s race at Kempton a couple of weeks ago. Richard Hughes’ runner should be spot on for this.
There’s also a lack of obvious pacesetters in the field. He likes to race prominently early on and he might be best placed to get first run in the dash for home off the final turn. Have 1pt each-way at 10-1. William Hill is going four places.
FORGE VALLEY LAD (1.25) returns to a more suitable distance after dropping right out having made the early running over 1m2f at Wolverhampton last time.
That was his second start of his winter campaign and he won third time out last season.
He also likes this course and distance. His record over 1m4f at Lingfield is three wins from six starts and he was nailed right on the line in one of the others.
This is also a slight drop in grade for David Simcock’s runner and he looks ready to peak. Have 1pt each-way at 10-1. Most firms are paying four places.