The Easter weekend begins in fine style on Good Friday when there are flat meetings at Newcastle and Lingfield on the all-weather as well as on the turf at Bath as the UK flat season continues to build into life.
There is the All-Weather Championships at Newcastle on Friday so there is a decent card there but it is actually Lingfield which gets our attention where a deep look through the Vase card has thrown up three each way fancies.
1.30 Lingfield AW
Preview
The opening vase race is the apprentice handicap over a mile and a half, with 15 runners. Satono Chevalier is a worthy favourite after winning 2 handicaps at Dundalk by a combined 11 lengths but another significant hike in the weights, this time by 12lbs, has to be a concern. Vega Sicilia deserves to get his head in front soon enough whilst Mr Inspiration is expected to have some improvement from a top yard.
Betting
Buxted Too – I cannot resist siding with the top weight under the best apprentice around on the all weather. A winner of 7 of 17 starts on the all weather, that improves to 5 of his last 7 and 2 from 2 over course & distance. He’s gone from strength to strength and has yet to be hit with a big weights rise. Although he’s risen 17lbs in the last 4 months, his last win was off just 2lbs lower. In addition, his 2 defeats in the last 7 are his only 2 runs in a higher grade than today so back in the right class, he’s surely going to be involved in the finish. He’s drawn fine in stall 7 and his flexible run style (has raced prominently & held up in recent starts) should eliminate any concerns over extremes of pace and I cannot see him being out of the money here.
Tips
Back Buxted Too (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 Bet365 BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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2.40 Lingfield AW
Preview
The mile vase handicap has a field of 12 with the unbeaten Brewing from the Haggas yard a warm favourite. This is a step up in grade and I’m sure his mark is all that attractive but it’s hard to dismiss any horse yet to be beaten. Aussie Banker rarely runs a good race but his consistency hasn’t helped his mark whilst Final Voyage is the big Irish hope but he’s been given a less than appealing draw. Dingle won last time out but has a 6lb higher mark whilst Mulgrave is very dangerous and wasn’t easy to dismiss on his recent Dundalk form.
Betting
Hafeet Alain – The selection certainly isn’t as prolific as some of his rivals but it’s fair to see he’s been plying his trade at a much higher level than this and, back in grade, he might take some stopping. Since moving to this yard in October 2021, he’s never raced off a mark so low yet he still has some good form to his name. 12 months ago, he won once and finished second twice off mark in the low 90s but has replicated that this year. He did however run really well when a close 4th at Kempton off a 7lb higher mark than today’s and ran adequately too in a Lingfield handicap 6 weeks ago. Form suggests he’s better on polytrack with form figures of 2-1-6 (after an 8-month absence)-4 (close up)-5. Headgear removed and a good jockey booking are positives and at double figure odds, he’s got a great each way chance.
Tips
Back Hafeet Alain (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Coral BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
3.50 Lingfield AW
Preview
The middle distance vase race is a handicap over a mile & a quarter, and the maximum field of 14 have assembled. Charlie Johnston has the favourite in Outbreak who ran well on his most recent appearance when 4th in Lincoln Trial when he didn’t get the best of runs but this is a competitive heat so I’d prefer to side with one at a bigger price. Diderot has finished in the places on his last 3 runs but has failed to get his head in front whilst Civil Law is better on tapeta.
Betting
Obsidian Knight – The selection has drawn well, coming out of the inside stall, and he has some very good at this track. He’s a winner of 3 of his 12 all weather starts, finishing runner up on 5 other occasions. At Lingfield, he’s 2 from 2 over course & distance and is 3 from 6 overall. On his other 3 runs here, he’s finished 2nd and 5th when just a length behind the winner, with one disappointment when amateur ridden with his saddle slipping. This is a career high mark but I do feel he’s got more improvement left in him and this drop back in trip is a big positive. With an eyecatching jockey booking too, there’s plenty of ticks in his boxes in a very competitive race.
Tips
Back Obsidian Knight (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 BetVictor BOG (⅕ odds-1-4)
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