Today's Tips: Minstrels Gallery looks picture perfect at Lingfield
He ran some excellent races in defeat last term, most notably when placing in competitive handicaps at both Cheltenham and Ascot, as well as claiming a moderate event at Fakenham on New Year’s Day.
Lucy Wadham’s charge was not unfancied for his return at Lingfield earlier this month, but weakened dramatically in the closing stages and was eventually beaten just over 16 lengths.
Minstrels Gallery should be given chance to atone for that defeat, though, and ought to be thereabouts..
Alberta is the choice in the MB Refurbishment Novices’ Hurdle as he makes his debut for Jim Best.
Formerly trained by Gordon Elliott, Alberta won a Downpatrick bumper last season before changing hands for £50,000 at Doncaster in May.
He could prove a smart recruit for the capable Best yard.
Cerca Trova is an interesting Irish raider in the Betfred “Be Part of The Action” Handicap Chase at Sedgefield.
Jim Dreaper sends this nine-year-old across the Irish Sea for his first outing since finishing second at Downpatrick last September.
While Good Trip’s Investec Derby entry appears pretty fanciful at present, he should be good enough to land the 32Red Novice Stakes at Southwell.
The Dansili colt has had just one run to date, making a winning debut in testing conditions at Nottingham in the dying days of the Flat season.
He only won by three-quarters of a length that day over an extended mile but appeared to be good value for the distance as it took a while for him to realise what was expected before picking up well at the finish.
That was clearly an average contest at best but he could do little more than win and should be able to make a seamless transition to Fibresand.
It will be a surprise if he lines up at Epsom next June, but this event is well within his compass.
Nosey Barker can make it seventh time lucky and finally get off the mark in the Download The Ladbrokes App Maiden Stakes. He has struggled to build on the promise of his first three placed efforts, dropping down the field a bit before seemingly regaining a little of his best when placed again at Wolverhampton.
Nosey Barker had been given a bit of a break prior to that run so he may have perhaps needed it a little and while he is not one of Richard Hannon’s stars, it will be disappointing if he cannot take a hand in the finish.
Countermand was far too keen for his own good when last seen but cannot be ruled out of the Coral App Download From The App Store Maiden Stakes.
