The opening Download The At The Races App Handicap at Lingfield sees eleven go to post and this looks like Tyger Bay's best opportunity to regain the winning thread for some time.
Conrad Allen's charge hasn't won in twelve outings but has fallen 5lb in the handicap subsequently and showed more than enough to suggest he could be winning soon last time. The gelded son of Cable Bay was slowly away when making his return to the Racing League at Southwell last start but ran on well from off the pace to finish sixth. A further 2lb drop in the handicap for that effort will do no harm and you only have to go back to May to see him twice filling the runner-up spot at Windsor off a mark of 82.
The return to Lingfield also looks a major positive for Middleham Park's three-time course and distance winner and everything looks set for a bold bid on his first outing in Class 5 company since May 2022.
Selection: Tyger Bay – General 7/2
Our second selection comes just thirty-five minutes on from our first wager and I'm surprised to see Hint Of The Jungle not shorter in the betting for the At The Races App Market Movers Nursery (2.25 – Lingfield).
I'm under no illusion this is a competitive affair, but he really sticks out at the current prices. Ed Dunlop's charge caught the eye when running on strongly into fifth on debut at Windsor and posted a good time on the clock to get off the mark in a five-furlong Beverley maiden in August. A switch to the all-weather under a penalty represented a different challenge for him earlier this month, but he showed bundles of early pace and a willing attitude at the finish to prevail narrowly from a fellow previous scorer.
An opening mark of 78 probably looks about right on the face of what he has achieved thus far but I'm almost certain there's more to come from this progressive juvenile. Morgan Cole takes off a valuable 5lb and armed with a good draw in stall one, they could be well-positioned to pounce when the field turns for home in this five-furlong dash.
Selection: Hint Of The Jungle – General 6/1
Newcastle hosts further all-weather action and Charlie Johnston looks to have every chance of continuing his good run of recent form (14-68, 21% in the last 14 days) with Surging Tide in the opening Boutique Event Hire Nursery (4.55).
I'm not surprised to see Due Consideration head the market, but I much prefer the less exposed Surging Tide at the prices.
The Charlie Johnston-trained filly produced her best effort to date when beaten just over three lengths in a mile maiden at Bath ten days ago and she looked to be crying out for this step up to a mile and a quarter here.
An opening mark of 61 looks workable on what she has achieved thus far, especially when you take into account that this daughter of Sea The Moon should relish going up in distance on what can often prove a testing all-weather surface.
Furthermore, with just five runners going to post, it's likely this will prove tactical and given she looks to be the possible front-runner of the quintet, Charlie Johnston's filly may be capable of dictating matters from the fore on her handicap bow.
Selection: Surging Tide – General 2/1
