It looks to be a cracking card of all-weather action at Lingfield on Wednesday, and GG’s in-house tipster Joe Napier provides his best bets throughout their meeting.
11.20 Lingfield – Win £1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap
Three-year-olds have won the last three runnings of this opening handicap and may do so again here courtesy of WHOOP WHOOP for Tom Ward. She won twice over course and distance in September and is only 2lb higher for the second of those victories. Although beaten in two efforts subsequently, including comfortably on her most recent outing, she may have needed that after a rare extended break from racing. Without a great deal of obvious front-runners, she may be able to go pillar to post.
11.50 Lingfield – BetMGM: It’s Showtime Nursery Handicap
Trainer Hugo Palmer won this last season, so his Sweet Fantastic is respected with all three of his half-siblings being useful. However, William Haggas is often a man to look out for in nurseries, and has struck at a 23% strike rate in such contests in 2024, so it is wise to expect more from BLUE SECRET. The daughter of Blue Point was a 150,000gns purchase as a yearling, and has finished close enough in all three maiden and novice events to suggest a mark of 74 for this handicap bow is more than workable.
12.20 Lingfield – Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM/EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (Div I)
Although the big yards have tended to unleash a decent horse in a division of this race in recent years, the only existing winner in the field, TEXAS STARLIGHT, sets a fairly high bar. George Boughey’s filly was second on debut to a subsequent Listed runner-up and then won easily herself at Southwell next time out. She beat precious little that day, so could be vulnerable to a good one here, but even with her penalty she is a fairly solid option to go in again.
12.50 Lingfield – Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM/EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (Div II)
It looks worth siding with the newcomers over the already-raced here. Of the debuting pair, slight preference is for NIMINY PIMINY, though both she and James Owen’s Gray Rainbow are related to first-time-out scorers. Nevertheless, the selection is particularly classily bred on paper and her yard struck with a 12/1 shot in a similar event at Southwell recently, so she shades the verdict.
1.20 Lingfield – BetMGM Winter Oaks Trial Fillies’ Handicap
Three-year-olds dominated the only renewal of this race last year, with the age group supplying the first three home. Though likely favourite Charlotte’s Web represents that category too, and is highly respected going for the hat-trick, a chance is taken on another of the Classic generation in TIMELESS CHARM. The Nathaniel filly won on her only other Polytrack start by six lengths on her debut at Kempton 13 months ago; the third is now rated 90, so while she has failed to get her head in front since, she has often had to endure big breaks between races. After stumbling at the start at Wolverhampton last time, she is down 2lb more in the handicap and should step forward considerably.
1.50 Lingfield – Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap
Smart Hero could well be the one if Jason Watson can get him to settle in a first time hood, but LOCAL HERO is still on a winnable mark after returning to all-weather action over course and distance last month. He was third off this mark of 88 that day after just short of 100 days off the track, and Joe Leavy takes off a useful 3lb to further aid his chances in this race.
3.20 Lingfield – Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap
There does not seem to be too much lurking in opposition against OVERNIGHT OATS, who can complete his hat-trick here for James Owen. The yard are in excellent form under both codes and after their four-year-old earned a first win in almost 18 months at Wolverhampton last month, he went in again under a 5lb penalty just five days later. A further 4lb rise might not dent his chances given he has now found the winning thread especially with few of his rivals here being at all convincing.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.