Cowboys & Indians

**Internet problems stopped me posting this morning, but for the sake of completeness, here are today's recommended bets, which number 2 losers and a non-runner. My thanks to Keith Melrose for some judicious editing on the betting.betfair site**

At Lingfield, the opening race is contested by a group who struggle to win at any level, with only Indian Violet and Titan Diamond boasting winning form at this level in the last 18 months. Titan Diamond arrives in decent form, and will be popular, but at the odds I prefer 4-time course winner Indian Violet, who landed a class 6 C&D event 3 starts back, and has been racing in better company since. His latest effort was disappointing on paper, but came in a race which has thrown up a couple of subsequent winners, and he's well berthed to take up his usual prominent position.

Catterick's card is moderate but competitive, and one who looks overpriced is Thecornishcowboy in the 16:50, the feature race on the card. John Ryan's gelding was much improved over the winter, winning 3 times over 1½m at Lingfield. He travelled well despite not settling fully at Newcastle the other day before appearing to have his stamina stretched at that stiff track, but will find the sharp contours of Catterick much more to his liking, and really shouldn't be a 20/1 shot on form. It's possible that the best way to play his is again to take a trading approach, but he's worth considering as a straight win bet at current odds.

Eric The Grey (17:10 Nottingham), a half-brother to 1¼m/1½m winner Elizabeth Coffee, improved on his debut run when third at Musselburgh (7f) in September, and may have needed run at Wolverhampton last month. Debdebdeb is another who will improve for this trip and looks a valid favourite, but Eric The Grey hails from a stable in cracking form, and looks on a workable mark now handicapping for the first time.

Recommended Bets:

Back Indian Violet @ [11.5] in the 14:00 at Lingfield

Back Thecornishcowboy @ [21.0] in the 16:50 Catterick

Back Eric The Grey @ [7.2] in the 17:10 at Nottingham