Lemon to put the squeeze on Lingfield rivals
Lemonette can make amends for an unlucky run last time out by claiming tomorrow’s Play Backgammon At willhill.com Handicap at Lingfield.
The four-year-old seems to be suffering from a bout of seconditis at present but she has a good opportunity of getting her head in front in this 12-furlong contest.
A winner for John Hills at Wolverhampton in March, she then just lost out narrowly twice on the all-weather at this venue.
A switch back to turf at Goodwood did not see this French recruit enjoy much more luck either as she was held up near the back early on before making up ground in the closing stages.
The winner had already flown but given that was Lemonette’s first try on firm ground, there was much to like about her performance.
Reverting to the all-weather here, Lemonette is fancied to shrug off her 3lb rise in the weights.
Blinkers seemed to work the oracle with Drifting Gold last time and she can feel the benefit of the headgear again in the Heads-Up williamhillpoker.com Handicap.
Her record of one victory in 10 starts hardly inspires great confidence a six-length romp at Wolverhampton last time showed she is capable of winning.
Trainer Clive Cox keeps Drifting Gold to five furlongs here and she must have every chance of following up.
Philatelist has shaped well on two starts so far and can make it third-time lucky in the Call House williamhillbingo.com Maiden Stakes.
Sixth behind Western Adventure on his debut, Philatelist failed to handle the tricky Chester track when third behind Al Tharib last time.
Michael Jarvis keeps him to maiden company here and his turn must surely come soon.
Local trainer Jim Goldie looks to hold all the aces at Ayr, with both Frank Crow and Blazing Heights having eyecatching credentials.
Frank Crow tackles the Burns An’ A’ That! Festival Handicap fresh from a mile success at Musselburgh earlier in the month.
The four-year-old had previously disappointed at Pontefract but with less travelling to the Scottish venue, he perked up admirably for a head success.
He tackles nine furlongs here but he obviously enjoys racing north of the border and should not be discounted.
Blazing Heights is another who put up a good performance when sixth behind stablemate Geojimali on his seasonal bow.
He was only beaten two and a half lengths which was a fair effort considering he looked in need of the race.
Blazing Heights should strip fitter for the DM Hall Handicap.
Harry Flashman blundered away his chance at Kelso last time but he can make amends in the Craster Handicap Hurdle back at the track.
He was only a length in arrears before crashing through the last earlier in the month and eventually finishing a four-length third.
Given a better display of hurdling, he could take all the beating.
At Huntingdon, Ingratitude should make the most of the good ground to complete a quick course-and-distance double in the Jewson Novices’ Hurdle.
Highglen looks the pick at Sedgefield in the Mitie Property Services Beginners’ Chase.
