The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Make the most of Makaarim’s advantages
Morrison’s three-year-old looks stand-out performer in Lingfield line-up
MAKAARIM has plenty going for him in the Play Starburst Slot At sunbets. co.uk/vegas Handicap at Lingfield.
With nearly all of his rivals badly out of form, Hughie Morrison’s three-year-old is unquestionably the stand-out name in the £11,500 affair over seven furlongs.
And such was the likeable nature of his triumph at Wolverhampton last month, it would be a big surprise if he did not come out fighting once again.
Makaarim did reasonably well for Marco Botti in the summer, but a gelding operation and a transfer to Morrison’s East Ilsley stables had a galvanising effect on the son of Tamayuz.
Though he only won by a neck at Wolverhampton, Morrison’s inmate was well on top at the line and really enjoyed himself in a truly-run race.
Makaarim is now 4lb higher in the weights, but he has only had nine runs in his life and is, by quite some distance, the most unexposed horse in this line-up.
Fran Berry’s first-time appointment is hardly off-putting, either.
BALLYMORE CASTLE can snap a long losing run in the sunbets.co.uk Handicap at Wolverhampton.
Richard Fahey’s charge has not won since May 2014 and was actually good enough to finish second in the Woodcote that year, boasting a rating of 100 at the start of 2015.
He has been on the decline since then, dropping as low as 73 last time, but his recent efforts suggest he should not be totally written off.
SELECTIONS:
LINGFIELD: 12.00 Goring, 12.30 Dutiful Son, 1.00 Top Beak, 1.30 Dash Of Spice, 2.00 MAKAARIM (NAP), 2.30 Music Major, 3.00 Attain, 3.30 Ravenhoe.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 1.45 Gorgeous, 2.15 Jack Blane, 2.45 Tally’s Song, 3.15 Stamp Duty, 3.50 Cookie Ring, 4.25 Ubla, 4.55 Ballymore Castle, 5.25 Kaisan.
DOUBLE: Makaarim and Ballymore Castle.