Our man has two bets lined up for Saturday's action on the all-weather at Lingfield Park with all the jumps racing off.
The Verdict tips: Saturday January 21
1pt win Obsidian Knight in 1.37 Lingfield at 7/1 (Paddy Power, Betfair)
1pt e.w. Shoot To Kill in 2.12 Lingfield at 16/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4)
Jockey to follow – Tom Marquand
Tom Marquand, captioned as Hollie Doyle’s husband on Sky Sports Racing in the week, can step out of his wife’s shadow and deliver a winner or more at Lingfield on Saturday afternoon.
With Ascot and Haydock called off, it's down to Lingfield to ensure some live action on ITV3 and that means the talkSPORT Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap at 2.47 is the race of the day.
Al Agaila could be tough to beat in that with Marquand’s mount Morgan Fairy her chief threat, but the market quickly identified those two as the main players and it looks a no-bet race.
The SpreadEx Sports Get £40 In Bonuses Handicap has a different feel to it, though, with George Boughey’s newcomer from France All The King’s Men assuming favouritism.
There’s a bit of the unknown quantity about him and being by Kingman he should take to this track well, but his trainer’s good form is fully factored into his odds and he looks one to take on.
With 11 going to post I want an each-way bet against him and it’s Marquand’s horse SHOOT TO KILL that appeals for trainer Robyn Brisland from stall one. This horse has clearly had his issues as he was off from May last year until returning 13 days ago at Kempton, where he was entitled to be rusty.
Too keen to play a part in the race under Joey Haynes, he coasted home in the rear and much better is expected of him with the race under his belt.
I doubt Brisland would've gone to the trouble of booking a high-class jockey like Marquand if he hadn’t come out of the race bouncing and I’d expect a change in tactics here as he can take advantage of the one stall with a prominent ride.
On this very card last year Shoot To Kill won the mile handicap following a prominent ride from stall one, winning off an identical mark of 82 and very much shaping as though he’d have been a more clear-cut winner over seven furlongs.
It’s not his only good performance at Lingfield and a chance is taken on him second start back at 16s.
Hopefully Marquand will be going for a double by then as I’ll stick with OBSIDIAN KNIGHT in the Huge Daily Boosts Only At BetUK Handicap at 1.37.
He was put up in this column a fortnight ago but had to settle for second after travelling best only to be caught flat-footed by the thriving Barenboim, who ran well in second at Wolverhampton on Monday.
Dropping to 10 furlongs looks a smart move and this looks a nice set up for him with Baby Steps, Night Bear, Paris Lights and Sweet Fantasy likely to ensure a good pace.
That's significant as this horse has been undone by sedate gallops on numerous occasions but finally this in-form horse with a very good Lingfield record looks likely to get the race run to suit.
This looks a good race for a Class 4 but prices 7/1 or better look more than fair.
The Verdict: Back SHOOT TO KILL (2.12 Lingfield) & OBSIDIAN KNIGHT (1.37 Lingfield)
Preview posted at 1515 GMT on 20/01/23
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