The Punting Pointers duo are back to mark your card for Friday's racing after a 6/1 winner yesterday.
Racing Betting Tips: Friday January 3
1pt win Raintown in 1.15 Lingfield at 17/2 (Paddy Power, William Hill, Unibet) - min 15/2
1pt win Khangai in 4.30 Southwell at 9/2 (William Hill, Unibet) - min 7/2
1.15 Lingfield
This is one of the better races on today's Lingfield card but only one of the runners has won over course and distance, and I fancy RAINTOWN to bounce back to winning ways having caught the eye at Wolverhampton the other day.
Having put in a rare below-par effort here, Raintown travelled notably well when 2¼ lengths third of eight to Tortured Soul in an apprentice riders' event at Wolverhampton, and would have benefited from a stronger pace that day, moving to the front in the straight but lacking the turn of foot of the winner.
He’s clearly back in good heart and is capable of winning from his current rating, which is just 1lb higher than his last winning mark, that win coming here in September. Millie Wonnacott is a rider I have plenty of time for and she has gradually regained her confidence after a bad fall over hurdles at Cheltenham a couple of years ago.
4.30 Southwell
Paradoxical is going to be popular with many punters here after his win at Lingfield on New Year’s Eve, the step up in trip that day seemingly producing a better effort. However, he’s done no more on the figures than run to his previous form and he might need to pull a bit more out under a penalty, for all he’s clearly in great heart.
There are two alternatives. Top weight Sisterandbrother has hit the frame on his last two starts here and looks sure to give it another good go, but ready preference is for KHANGAI, who despite some remarkable consistency is still on a very workable mark based on his second to Albert Lasker here last week.
That was over two furlongs further and this drop back in trip looks a positive move, given he was a C&D winner here in November. As an added bonus James Owen switches Khangai’s headgear to a visor, and Owen is 6-19 when using the aid in the past year. Backing them all would have seen you in profit to the tune of £110 to tenner stakes, and Khangai looks the one to be with here.
7.30 Southwell
It might well be that Ustath needs another run to put himself straight but equally I can’t overlook the fact that the 3lb drop he got for his comeback effort here a fortnight ago entitles him to take his chance in this 0-50 Classified event, which is very much his level these days.
His form figures in Class 6 Classified events at 5f/6f now reads 21174341, which is a very solid record for one of his ability.
Seven times a winner at the track, he showed his customary early speed before fading and should last longer this time. Another entry in another Classified event at Wolverhampton next week hints at a plan, as he’s often been turned around quickly to good effect. He’ll be winning races soon, if not tonight.
Preview posted 0910 GMT on 03/01/25
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