By Charlie McCann
There is an excellent card at Lingfield to open the new all-weather season and Crystal Zverda (12.50) showed promise on her debut when third in a decent Newbury Conditions' Event last month. The filly is bred to be smart, is well drawn and this half-sister to Crystal Capella and Hillstar will get further next term but should have enough speed for this 7f trip.
There are two listed races on the card the first for fillies' over the mile and the draw is likely to play its part in such a competitive event. Water Hole looks the best of the classic generation and must go close but a chance is taken on Gifted Girl (2.40) who is fitted with cheek-pieces after she pulled too hard in first time blinkers at Newmarket last time. Her “tissue” price is 12/1 at BetVictor and she can reward each way support.
Music Theory (3.50) finished last of 11 on his sole start this season but finished third to Kingman as a juvenile in the Solario Stakes and is given another chance running on polytrack for the first time. Godolphin wouldn't have persevered with him if they didn't feel he had ability and the drop back from a mile will help.
There is a valuable BetVictor sponsored card at Kempton this evening and Mission Approved (5.30) has a good record on polytrack and the form of his second at Ascot last time was franked when the winner (Dungannon) followed up at Doncaster last weekend. The selection has a cracking draw in stall three but will always need luck in running given he is invariably held up for a late run. It is twelve starts since he last got his head in front but tonight might be the night.
The headgear (first time visor) might work the oracle for Khusoosy but he didn't look in love with the game at Nottingham last time and the maiden Landwade Lad (6.00) can get his head in front for James Fanshawe having steadily progressed in all four career starts and running his best race yet when third in a hot nursery at Newmarket last time. He will get further as a 3-year-old but Spring Dixie and Simone On Time like to race prominently and might help set the race up.
The twice-raced Heisman has not been seen on the track since winning his maiden over C&D back in the spring and his 185-day absence is a concern but we know he acts on the track, is well drawn and he must be high on any short-list for a terrific Mile Handicap. Jockey bookings would suggest that Billingsgate is the number 1 for Godolphin but Momayyaz (6.30) is unbeaten on polytrack and talented apprentice Kevin Stott takes off a valuable 5lbs. She would be confident selection were it not for her modest draw in stall ten but at her forecast price of 8/1 she can reward each way support.
In the Follow @BetVictorRacing on Twitter Handicap Cadmium (7.00) has again been fortunate with the draw having scored over 7f for today's apprentice last week. She had previously finished runner up over a mile and is obviously in the form of her life at present. She can follow up.
The ground is likely to worsen at Stratford with rain forecast and It's A Steal (2.10) a winning point-to-pointer will hopefully be less inconvenienced by others if the rain gets into the ground. The selection hasn't seen the track for over 500 days but is in excellent hands and is likely to be much better than his current handicap mark in time.
There is a quality 2m 4f Chase and Simply Wings (3.40) finished runner up in the corresponding race 12 months ago from a 5lb higher mark and with the yard of Richard Lee in such good form he gets the nod given he would not be inconvenienced if the forecast rain arrived.
At Sedgefield the Durham National is the feature race and Royale Knight (3.00) travelled well at Chepstow on his reappearance over hurdles before a blunder two out. That should have put him spot on for this and he is in the tutelage of Dr Richard Newland who knows a thing or two about National winners.
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