Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Doncaster and Kempton on Saturday. View selections below.
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RIPP ORF (3.35) is seen at his very best contesting cavalry charges on a straight course so the Unibet Lincoln at Doncaster should see David Elsworth’s gelding in a good light.
The five year-old ran no fewer than 16 times between January and October last year, notching four victories along the way. He landed the 27-runner Victoria Cup and the 20-runner Cunard Cup, both over seven furlongs at Ascot, and although this stiff mile may stretch his stamina to the limit, Ripp Orf should give his supporters a good run for their dough.
No Irish horse has won the Lincoln since Saving Mercy 35 years ago but ex-Godolphin Saltonstall is interesting for in-form trainer Ado McGuiness. James Doyle is missing the Dubai World Cup and rides Godolphin’s Auxerre, not seen since winning at Kempton in October and still unexposed on turf.
EQUILATERAL (1.50) routed the opposition by eight lengths and more on his only previous visit to Doncaster and should go close in the opening Unibet Cammidge Trophy. Charlie Hills has been among the winners and Equilateral also made all to score with plenty at hand at Leicester in September. He was restrained when fourth to Mr Lupton in a Group 3 at Newbury and is probably best when allowed to use his stride racing up with the pace.
FABRICATE (2.05) landed the 2018 Matchbook Magnolia Stakes at Kempton and will make a bold bid to follow up running in the Queen’s silks. He has a tough nut to crack in Mark Johnston’s Matterhorn, seeking his sixth straight all-weather victory and now stepping up in class.
SOLDIER’S MINUTE (2.40) landed some tasty bets when bolting up at Kempton a week ago and the Scottish raider will take some stopping over course and distance in the 6f handicap. Keith Dalgleish has again booked Joe Fanning and Soldier’s Minute gets the vote over Wolverhampton scorer Desert Doctor.
CASPAR THE CUB (3.15) is worth an each-way punt in the Rosebery Handicap, especially if all 16 runners make it to post. Alan King’s gelding likes it at Kempton and holds a verdict over top weight Count Calabash and Pipes Of Peace when they clashed before Christmas. Count Calabash turned the tables in no uncertain tables when allowed to dictate matters in February but Caspar The Cub will be better suited by a strong end-to-end gallop if Nicola Currie can find some cover from a bad draw in stall 16.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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