By Charlie McCann
Today's BetVictor sponsored card from Ayr survived an 8am inspection. There is a cracking handicap chase over the minimum trip to open the card and Trust Thomas (12.40) can go one better than when runner up at Newcastle last time from a 3lb lower mark.
The 7-y-old is a strong traveller who is closely matched with Ubaltique on Newcastle running last month but could have more to offer and I think Brian Hughes was guilty of over-confidence last time when failing to pick up from the last. He is worth another chance.
The 10-year-old Rapidolyte De Ladalka (3.25) is fitted with blinkers for the first time and would pick up and carry this lot if back to his old novice chase form. This is the first horse trainer Simon Shirley-Beavan has saddled this season and his fitness must be taken on trust but that will be factored into the price and he is 8lbs lower than when last successful.
Catterick is also subject to an 8am inspection and Desilvano (1.00) can upset Gone Forever in the 3m Novice Hurdle for James Evans in the opener. The selection has won two of three career starts in the manner of a progressive young horse and his trainer thinks the world of him. He has yet to race left-handed but that shouldn't be an inconvenience and he can outstay the Brian Ellison trained Gone Forever who is another potentially top class novice.
Les Eyre brings the maiden Qibtee (1.25) down from Beverley to Lingfield for the 1m 5f handicap and the gelding can reward each way support in a good race. The selection went down by less than a length over a furlong less here back in November and should appreciate today's extra furlong. The yard had a 50/1 shot run extremely well at Wolverhampton earlier in the week and, if given the ammunition, Les Eyre is an excellent trainer.
Mr Bossy Boots (2.30) is entitled to come on for his first start in four months in the 7f handicap for Ralph Beckett and Adam Kirby who continues to go from strength to strength. The selection won first time out over C&D and after only four career starts remains open to considerable improvement.
The Conditions race over 2m is a top class event and the winner will, automatically, receive an invitation to the Good Friday meeting which is the culmination and celebration of the winter all-weather season.
Dashing Star is an infrequent winner but is an interesting contender on his polytrack debut but Castilo Del Diablo (3.00) has been knocking on the door over distances short of his best in recent starts and deserves to get his head in front. Kirby keeps the ride and David Simcock has his string in excellent shape.
At Kempton Godolphin's Millionaires Row had his limitations exposed by the progressive novice chaser Sgt Reckless at Lingfield last time and may have to give best to Buckenhill who finished runner up in a Huntingdon Bumper back in November on soft ground. Another Simcock-trained animal the grey runs in the colours of the trainer and is taken to make a winning debut on the flat.
Blue Aegean (6.30) carries a 6lb penalty for a facile success at Chelmsford City earlier in the month and the filly can follow up for Charlie Appleby and Adam Kirby. Later in the card Warbond (7.30) is taken to put behind a frustrating run of seconds in the mile handicap. Apprentice Tom Marquand is good value for his 7lbs claim and he has a much better draw than he had at Lingfield last time.
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