Water in full flow at Lingfield
WATERSMEET has already booked his ticket for AllWeather Finals Day but he can keep himself in trim in the interim with victory at Lingfield.
Mark Johnston’s runner bagged a Fast-Track Qualifier for the Good Friday feature last time out, showing plenty of heart to outbattle French raider Funny Kid by a neck, with hot favourite and Group Oneplace Frontiersman only third at Wolverhampton.
That effort was an improvement on his previous third in a similar heat and while he boasts a better record at Dunstall Park, he has previously won at Lingfield for the track holds few fears.
His mark of 106 puts him upwards of 2lb ahead of each of his six rivals in the Betway Conditions Stakes and racing off level weights, Watersmeet really should be winning here.
Reiffa may not meet too much resistance in the Betway Novice Stakes.
A winner on her debut at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day, she just failed to follow up for William Haggas at Chelmsford in mid-January, being beaten a length and a quarter.
However, things got a bit tight in the closing stages and perhaps her inexperience just showed as she was edged out at the line, but Reiffa remains an animal on the up.
Sociologist was all at sea on his racecourse bow but should be wiser for the experience in the 32Red Casino Novice Stakes.
He was slowly away at this track a week ago but made notable headway late in the day after seemingly starting to get the hang of things.
Martyn Meade throws him into action once again and Sociologist should be all the better for that debut run.
Good Time Ahead is worth another shot over Wolverhampton’s extended two miles in the Betway Handicap.
Phil Kirby hiked his charge in distance following a couple of good runs over 12 to 14 furlongs and he was duly sent off favourite last time.
However, he gave his rivals far too much of a start and just could not get back on terms, keeping on to finish a length and a quarter adrift in third.
More positive tactics should yield a better result here.
Spirit Of Rome can open her account over obstacles in the Racing To School Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle at Catterick.
The four-year-old failed to strike in 10 starts on the level for James Bethell, but she has shown a bit more promise with a couple of placed efforts over hurdles for Harry Whittington.
Second on her initial effort, she then finished third last time, beaten 12 lengths at Hereford by a rival with a fair bit more experience in the jumping sphere.
Switching to a fillies’ race here could be a good shout and it will be disappointing if Spirit Of Rome is not in the mix at the finish.
Luckofthedraw is worth supporting as he has a first crack at over obstacles in the Superbowl Betting At 188Bet/EBF ``National Hunt’’ Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow.