Roundabout way to Lingfield success

ROUNDABOUT MAGIC should have a whale of a time back over five furlongs when he reports for duty at Lingfield.

Simon Dow’s three-year-old colt was a pleasing winner over this course and distance in November, when he broke his maiden at the 10th attempt with a convincing defeat of Gracious Tom.

He then returned to the Surrey circuit for a six-furlong handicap, before which he was the subject of a sizeable gamble.

But the writing for his many supporters was probably on the wall a long way from home as Roundabout Magic pulled way too hard under John Egan, for whom he could finish only fifth of six runners.

That was a significantly stronger race than this, though, so it is interesting to see the shrewd Dow dip back down into class six company with the son of Zebedee.

The diminutive Roundabout Magic should also be happier than last time by reverting to the minimum trip, while Hector Crouch’s 3lb claim comes in very handy indeed.

Any market move should be seized upon in the 32Red Casino Handicap. Geraldine was unfortunate on her last spin, but she can redress the balance in the opening seven-furlong handicap.

Flintham could be the shining light on a strong card at Chepstow.

Mark and Sara Bradstock absolutely adore this eightyear-old, who has won some nice prizes over hurdles over the last few years.

But it is over fences that connections feel he will be at his most potent, even though he was pulled up in a race won by Native River on his sole try in November 2015.