THE INSIDER
Golf seems to be a recurring theme at Lingfield which unfortunately means that they don’t have a sponsor. It’s a shame as it’s a great place to have a day out with friends and family.
Racing in the UK has taken the bull by the horns to encourage racegoers in the last 24 months but by no means have they got the marketing or package 100 per cent. At least they are trying. Across the other side of the pond, where rumours abound that Santa Anita may switch back to a dirt track, racing could be signing its own death warrant.
Even without a commercial sponsor the one mile two furlong handicap at 3pm on Saturday has attracted a healthy field of 10 to run for the £10,362 on offer. There are many of our old friends running in this contest including Full Toss, Mafeking and the Hayley Turner ridden Baylini. Hayley managed to get this warrior up on the line last time and will have a good opportunity to follow-up from stall five. However, I fancy the unheralded DALARDIAN (e/w) from the William Knight stable. Knight and Crowley have done rather well as a pair and I can see this longer trip being right up this four-year-old’s street.
At Newbury on Saturday, 24 stand their ground for the Totesport Trophy Hurdle. It really looks like a pin-job but I have a slight inclination that there might be a massive outsider with a live chance. RING THE BOSS (e/w) wears first time blinkers, is reunited with Tom O’Brien and, at 50/1, is very interesting each-way.