A tendency to pull hard has stopped
Clive Cox’s talented sprinter Seeking
Magic (15:00 Lingfield) from achieving all that he might, despite the help
of a hood, but there is no denying that he’s potentially well handicapped off a
BHA mark of 85, and he’s caught the eye on several occasions this year since a
most unfortunate loser on his return at Folkestone in April. Given a break
since his final turf run of the campaign, Seeking
Magic typically failed to settle in a steadily-run 6f event at Kempton last
time, giving Adam Kirby little choice but to press on, and the pair looked to
have the race won when briefly kicking clear in the straight, only to be mowed
down late. That third to Noverre To Go and O’Gorman looks the most solid piece
of form on offer, and a strongly run race back at 5f looks sure to suit the
keen-going son of Haafhd. Few ride better than Kirby on the artificial
surfaces, but in Graham Lee, the selection has a most able substitute, and one
with marvellous hands at that. If Seeking Magic won’t settle for Lee, then he
won’t settle, full stop. With Scott Dixon’s pair Even Stevens and Six Wives
being proven pacesetters, this should be run at a strong pace which will help
the selection, and he should have no excuses. Topweight Swiss Cross has never
been better, but this will be tougher than the 6f event he won here last time,
and the combination of a drop to the minimum and a 6 lb penalty look enough to
prevent him following up. He’s now 10 lb worse off for a 2-length beating of Ajjaadd at Kempton 13 days ago, and I
fancy that Ted Powell’s gelding will turn the tables with this trip more in his
favour. Those looking to play the
forecast market could do worse than combining the pair, or including the
consistent Last Sovereign in combination exotics.
Graham Lee has double claims with Loyal Royal likely to start no bigger
than 5/1 for the “Breathe Spa At Lingfield Park Handicap” at 14:00, but Milton
Bradley’s wily performer knows several ways to lose, and it will be a feather in
the jockey’s cap if he can force the 9-y-o to end a frustrating sequence of
defeats. As always, The best way of playing this enigmatic character is with a
short-odds lay in the run. A likelier winner is Mey Blossom, who got back to winning ways at Wolverhampton last
month, and fared best of those on an overly-strong pace when second to Dickie
le Davoir there last time. Another good run looks on the cards, especially with
Robert Winston back on board.
Recommended Bets:
Back Seeking Magic in the 15:00 Lingfield @ [3.75] (NAP)
Back Mey Blossom in the 14:00 Lingfield
@ [8.0] (NB)
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