Friday 23rd March 2018




14:10 Lingfield -  MADRINHO 9/2

1.5 Points Each-Way


This is a very tight little handicap, with just 6lb separating top weight from bottom. My eyes were first drawn to Pulsating, who was an unlucky third last time out when top amateur Simon Walker was on board and gets to race off the same mark today. But he has developed a habit of being 'unlucky' and his draw could have been kinder. Madrinho looks to represent a good value alternative on his second run for Tony Carroll. He was dropped back to 6f for his stable debut and, despite being keen early and not having the clearest of runs, he finished with a rattle when the leaders had already flown and was only beaten three quarters of a length. The winner of that race has won again since so Madrinho looks to have a good chance off a mark of 67. The switch back to polytrack shouldn't pose any problems, he finished runner up over a mile when last seen at Lingfield, a run which with the benefit of hindsight was a superb effort. The winner of that contest Dark Alliance, who Madrinho finished only half a length behind despite missing the break, is now rated 11lb higher. Madrinho is only 3lb higher than that day and if he can reproduce his latest effort he has a cracking chance of getting his head in front for the first time for Tony Carroll. However, his record of 1-25 means it looks sensible to play him each way here.

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