Myseven could be a lucky number to follow at Lingfield

From Ascot to Wincanton, Lingfield to Riyadh, there is a mouthwatering amount of top-class racing action this weekend. Here are my three selections for a fascinating day of racing.
They race at Lingfield on Saturday / Picture: GettyThey race at Lingfield on Saturday / Picture: Getty
They race at Lingfield on Saturday / Picture: Getty

Before we dive into the feast of National Hunt action, it’s worth starting on Lingfield’s polytrack paradise where MYSEVEN looks poised to make it four wins in succession following an eye-catching triumph over course and distance last time out in the 12.15.

The Crisford-trained filly has been in fine fettle, winning five of her last six starts, and now sits 29lb above her win on handicap debut in September. She has been progressing with every run, but it was her recent victory which was the most impressive of them all.

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It was undoubtedly an eye-catching booking that 7lb claimer William Humphrey was in the saddle that day, and it’s fair to say it wasn’t the drama-free ride around Lingfield that he would’ve hoped for.

Settling at the rear of the four runners, Humphrey found himself in a lot of trouble three furlongs out, being boxed in by Billy Garrity on board Furzig as he tried to manouevre through a gap.

After losing momentum from the failed move, he was forced to come widest of all down the home straight - left with an almighty amount of work to do with two furlongs left. Remarkably, Myseven displayed an impressive turn of foot under a hands and heels ride from Humphrey to land the spoils - with the winning distance not justifying the superiority the filly had over his opponents.

Intriguingly, five different jockeys have been in the saddle for this daughter of Golden Horn’s wins, and should she repeat the promise shown on her previous outing, then it would be no surprise for Robert Havlin to make that six.

SELECTION: MYSEVEN 2/1

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Of course, big handicaps come with risks attached, but it seems GOOD MAN PAT may be slightly overpriced to run a big race at Ascot in the Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Handicap Hurdle (3:00).

Jonjo O’Neill’s Arrivederci deserves favouritism having finished second here to a handicap debutant returning from a year off the track, he jumped fluently and stayed gallantly but ultimately found Craigneiche too good.

My only concern would be that he perhaps had it a bit easy that day, settling himself just off the pace, and he may be a touch short at 6/1.

Kepagge is also an intriguing candidate now stepping back markedly in trip from three miles. The David Pipe-trained seven-year-old could be well-handicapped looking at his form over this distance last year where both Firak and Apple Rock, whom he dismissed by nine and thirty-one lengths respectively, have since gone on to win a cumulative four times.

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But, there are question marks regarding whether he can bounce back from an underwhelming display at Warwick, and it may allow Alan King’s Good Man Pat to pick up the pieces.

The King-trained eight-year-old has been highly tried over both sets of obstacles, holding a rating of 139 when heading to the Cheltenham Festival in 2019, and hinted that he could be primed to land a big pot last time out.

On his previous outing at Newbury the son of Gold Well jumped exquisitely, taking at least a length out of his rivals at every hurdle, and travelled the strongest of them two flights from home. From his stalking position, he jumped well under pressure but was held by Paul Nicholls’ Calva D’Auge.

It’s fair to say that form has been franked with The Cob, who was left fifteen lengths in the wake of Good Man Pat, subsequently landing Grade 2 spoiled over three miles in the River Don Novices’ Hurdle.

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Tom Bellamy is two out of two on board King’s recruit and he should run a strong race on Saturday.

SELECTION: GOOD MAN PAT 12/1 EW

Haydock’s seven race card also presents a plethora of betting opportunities, especially in the William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (2:40), where THE TWO AMIGOS looks to back up his second in the Welsh National.

The Nicky Martin-trained nine-year-old decided to dictate the pace in the National and jumped terrifically out front. I was waiting for the inevitable moment when he would weaken, but that moment didn’t arrive as he stayed every yard to battle with Yala Enki all the way to the line.

Of course, Yala Enki has come out and won, and The Two Amigos could be a good price at 11/2 to go three better than when finishing fourth in this affair last year.

Selection: THE TWO AMIGOS 11/2 EW

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