Classy Muthmir can lead home our treble of favourites at Lingfield
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Rarely will we enjoy three courses supplying quite the quality of contests we can enjoy this weekend with Lingfield, Kempton and Newcastle each giving us a cracker or two.
We’ve already delved into both the Eider Chase at Gosforth Park and the all-weather feature of the Winter Derby to find the winner, but we are looking for an even tastier multiple to bring in the weekend.
If our treble isn’t for you and you’d rather stick to singles only, remember that you are covered by Ladbrokes’ money back offer.
Back a horse in races shown live on Channel 4 and we will refund you stake, as a free bet, should your selection finish second. (Full T&Cs here)
However, we are feeling confident and are aiming big with this favourites treble that returns a none-too-shabby 24/1 if it lands.
William Haggas’ gelding developed into a smart Group level sprinter last year, having delivered in a couple of big handicaps the year previous.
Victories in the Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly and King George V Stakes at Goodwood were his two successes, while he also placed in both the Kings’ Stand Stakes and the Prix de l’Abbaye.
He has yet to run on an all-weather surface and has to shoulder a penalty here, but there is plenty of reason to believe he can get the year off to the perfect start.
Taking his extra weight into account he still comes out in front at the official ratings, and even if he is not 100 per cent should have too much for the rest here.
Since arriving on these shores from France Sue Smith’s hurdler has form at in-and-around two miles that reads 13168212, suggesting that at the trip you should definitely get a good run for your money.
The eight-year-old has gone up two pounds in the handicap after finishing second in a Listed contest at Musselburgh three weeks ago.
Only Serenity Now (tailed off) from that race has run since, and he finished third next time out, but going back to his form two starts ago, shows that he beat a subsequent winner by nine lengths.
The former Fred Winter third has been in good heart this year and is still only four pounds above his highest winning mark, and it would be no surprise to see him pull out more.
While two of his closest rivals in the betting have seen their limitations exposed when taking in Graded races this season, Alan King’s horse has yet to be thrown in at the deep end.
This race will be his biggest test, but it would be no surprise to see him pass with flying colours.
He was majorly impressive in his two wins to date, travelling into the lead with consummate lead, before quickening away well.
The horse he beat last time out, Bantam, was second in a Listed event last season, and the JP McManus-owned five-year-old brush her aside without too much fuss.
He is rated higher than both Marracudja and Welsh Shadow yet receives three pounds from both and that could certainly tell in Sunbury-on-Thames.
All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing.
