The Wine Tipster: “He is top rated and has very strong claims here to score his third success over hurdles”

AT the time of writing, we are all still on weather watch with Taunton due to inspect on Friday afternoon at 4pm, having brought this forward, whilst Haydock will inspect at 8am on Saturday morning. Taunton at this stage looks unlikely to go ahead unfortunately, although if (a big if of course) conditions do change dramatically then Frodon Unibet 10/11 looks booked to take the Portman Cup Chase, with conditions to suit.

At Haydock, there is more optimism than there had been yesterday and Friday’s inspection was cancelled with a good possibility that this important card will go ahead tomorrow. If passing the inspection at 8am then Epatante is Unibet 8/15 on to take the The New One Unibet Hurdle Grade 2 for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson and it is hard to oppose this brilliant and genuine mare, with Nells Son looking the one to chase her home.

Bristol De Mai runs in the Peter Marsh Chase at his home track, however there is a concern about the stable form of the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard at this stage.

We can at least be assured that Lingfield will go ahead on the all-weather and let’s hope we get some turf action too!

Enjoy whether at a racecourse or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.37 Lingfield – Handicap (1m 2f)

Obsidian Knight has run over one mile four furlongs on his last three starts, with a second last time out earlier this month. Interestingly Obsidian Knight’s last victory was over this trip of one mile two furlongs back in October and this is the first time he has returned to this distance since that success. If he can settle well then Obsidian Knight has a strong chance from stall 5.

2.12 Lingfield – Handicap (1m 2f)

Dancinginthewoods has looked useful on the flat and is certainly looking just as good on the all-weather, winning at Kempton on his debut on this surface and in the places on both runs since at Southwell. On his last appearance Dancinginthewoods finished third when closest at the finish and it looked like a much stronger pace will be to his benefit. Fortunately, those drawn in stalls 1, 2 and 3 all like to go forward, which gives Freddie Larson a nice pocket to track them up the inside from stall 5. Dancinginthewoods has a change of headgear here and if he gets a bit of luck in running, he will go close.

Unibet are offering Money back as CASH if 2nd or 3rd in this race

2.47 Lingfield – Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap (1m 2f)

Makinmedoit (nap) is still improving and got there in the nick of time here two starts ago, with a smooth challenge down the inside from off the pace. On her latest start at Lingfield she ran well when finishing second from well of the pace to easy winner Al Agaila, who had moved well clear before Makinmedoit could make a serious challenge. They reoppose here and Makinmedoit is much better off at the weights this time around and will be ridden handier to make more use of her undoubted speed.