Riddiford ready to strike at Chelmsford
Lord Riddiford journeys to Chelmsford in good form and can leave with a victory in the tote.co.uk Live Streaming All UK Races Handicap tomorrow.
John Quinn’s sprinter has run three massive races since having his attentions switched to the all-weather at the end of the turf season.
A winner at Wolverhampton from a mark of 90 in November, he then went close when third over the same course and distance he faces here off a 5lb higher mark.
The handicapper dropped him 1lb for that defeat and he again showed plenty from his revised rating when second to Venturous, a classy sort who proved that fact when bolting up in a conditions event next time out and boasts a rating of 103.
Quinn seems to favour giving Lord Riddiford a break between his races and, off a 35-day absence, everything looks to be in his favour.
Strawbs has obviously had her issues but seemingly possesses ability, an impression she can underline in the CCR Novice Stakes.
Mike Murphy’s charge was an 18-1 chance first time out at Chelmsford last month, but the fact the trainer went to the trouble of booking Hollie Doyle suggests he expected a decent showing.
Her inexperience certainly showed in the early stages as she gave away plenty of lengths on leaving the stalls, but she fairly flew home.
It is hard to get carried away with the form, but she should be given at least one chance to confirm she might be as good as she looked there.
La Tihaty is the choice in the Support The Injured Jockeys Fund Novice Stakes.
The New Bay colt came good at the second time of asking in a Lingfield novice event earlier this month, having shown promise when second at that track on his initial start. His inexperience was evident on the first occasion and he still looked green in victory, despite triumphing by an impressive four and a half lengths.
Roger Varian’s runner will have to shoulder a penalty here, but he looks more than up to the task.
Archie Watson’s Above deserves to get his head in front in the Betway Handicap at
Lingfield. Three times a winner at two – in which he was also placed in Group company in Germany – he was outclassed in the Jersey on his seasonal bow at Royal Ascot last year, but has since been placed three times.
Most recently he looked like winning at Kempton earlier this month, only to be worried out of it in the last 100 yards before losing second place on the line.
That is good form, though, as runner-up Gulliver is a good yardstick while the winner, Tranchee, continues to improve, so hopefully Above can get back to winning ways.