WEDNESDAY
LINGFIELD
5.00 LADBROKES HANDICAP – 7 FURLONGS
SHIFTING STAR has dropped to a very attractive looking handicap mark and he ran another solid race around here just last week.
William Carson now partners him for the 20th time in succession and he will know exactly how to get the best out of this 10 year old. Shifting Star will need to break smartly to offset any disadvantage done to him by a woeful draw in stall 14, but he has run well from similar positions in the past.
Beggers Luck made the most of his previous track experience to win over the course and distance last time. He is still only a five year old is remains far from exposed. George Baker rode him to victory last time and he takes the ride once again. They could provide stern opposition to the selection. Indus Valley should appreciate this slight step back in distance and could well make the frame. Shifting Star is as genuine and tough as they come and he should be able to make a bold bid in order to secure an 11th career win.
KEMPTON
7.15 32RED ON THE APP STORE MAIDEN STAKES – 1 M 3 F
Honourable Action has been beaten by less than a length in his most recent two starts, but should be able to make that previous experience count for plenty here. Shane Gray takes the ride on the three year old son of Shamardal and with Charlie Appleby sending out winners for fun recently he has to be of obvious interest. This extra furlong should seem him relax a bit more in this race and he comes here fully race fit unlike some of his rivals.
Simple Verse is bound to improve on what was his first racecourse appearance at Lingfield last month. Ralph Beckett is likely to have got plenty of schooling into him and with Andrea Atzeni retaining the ride much better can be expected. The duo look a formidable threat to the selection and they may cause most problems. Ya Hade Ye Delil has not been seen since finishing third to a Sir Michael Stout “hotpot” at Goodwood last autumn. He is one to take note of as he is likely to improve upon whatever he shows here. Honourable Action should be well capable of shedding his maiden status and he can go on to better things later in the year.
FRIDAY
WETHERBY
2.20 CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ NOVICES’ HURDLE – 2 MILES 110 YDS
Debdebdeb looks a more than a useful recruit to the jumping scene and she has already landed a win for her new trainer Donald McCain. That most recent win came at Catterick over this two mile trip and the front two pulled a long way clear of the opposition indicating that the form would be worth following. Having won at distances of up to a mile and a half on the flat there should be plenty more to come from her as the season progresses. Having won on a variety of surfaces in the past, she has to rank highly on any shortlist here.
Old Pride has obviously enjoyed a recent change of scenery having won at the first time of asking for new trainer Alan McCabe. Formerly trained in Ireland by Tom Taaffe, he ran numerous good races without managing to quite get his head in front. It may be that jumping hurdles has sparked a willing attitude and he could well prove to be the biggest danger to the selection.
Selections:
Wednesday:
Lingfield 5.00 Shifting Star (e-way)
Kempton 7.15 Honourable Action
Friday:
Wetherby 2.20 Debdebdeb
