Step back in trip to benefit Fratellino
Alan McCabe’s likeable six-year-old is all about pace, and has arguably found six furlongs beyond him on his last few starts in good company.
That certainly seemed the case over that trip here at the beginning of the month, when Fratellino became embroiled in a frenetic tussle for the lead before growing weary late on.
He still shaped promisingly, beaten just two and a half lengths, to suggest he is coming to hand nicely for the Lingfield Park Owners Group Handicap.
McCabe’s inmate is a seriously sharp horse over the minimum trip, as illustrated over this course and distance last March when he scooped the Listed Hever Sprint Stakes by half a length.
Fratellino will never find things entirely straightforward in handicaps off a mark of 100, but he is a cut above most of these rivals and is clearly in decent nick.
Focail Maith’s return to the winner’s enclosure in the Lingfield Park Marriott Hotel Handicap would hardly be the biggest shock in racing history, either.
Trainer John Ryan has done a good job with this five-year-old gelding, who has thrived on the all-weather this winter.
Ryan’s inmate was a determined winner over this course and distance in December and has since twice occupied the runner-up berth in decent-looking events.
His last run was especially satisfying as he gave the progressive De Rigueur a fine run for his money, with the third home never sighted.
Focail Maith is on a career-high mark here, but that has been hard earned due to his mid-winter consistency and it is possible we have not yet seen the best of him.
Lady Malet can bring down the hammer on a frustrating run of results by winning the Get Free Bets With bookmakers.co.uk Maiden Stakes at Wolverhampton.
Much was expected of William Haggas’ filly following an eyecatching second at Lingfield in early December.
It has not gone according to script, however, as she has twice been defeated at short odds over Wolverhampton’s six furlongs.
That said, she still has far superior form to any of these rivals and could be in her element returning to seven furlongs.
Now is not the time to jump ship.
The dependable Presburg is also worth an interest in the Compare Online Bookies At bookmakers.co.uk Handicap.
Joseph Tuite’s four-year-old has not won since his maiden days, but he can usually be relied upon to give a good account in these sort of races.
That was certainly the case over a mile and a quarter at Kempton last time when Presburg got to with a length and a quarter of the upwardly-mobile Purple ’N Gold.
The Balmont gelding has gone up 2lb for that pleasing display but still remains handicapped to win on his best form. Faffa demonstrated winning form at Dunstall Park last time and can go in again in the bookmakers.co.uk Gives You Free Bets Handicap.
Tim Easterby’s charge took six attempts to get off the mark but he finally got his head in front over five furlongs late last month.
He is clearly only a moderate beast, and his handicap mark of 58 reflects that, but he is with a shrewd handler who can place him to good effect.
