Timeform 1-2-3 Tips: Saturday January 15

Timeform UK SmartPlays / Mark Powell-Bevan / 15 January 2011 /

" class="free_bet_btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">

Khyber Kim is expected to get the better of Binocular in the Christmas Hurdle

"The fact that Khyber Kim is reappearing is far from a negative given his record when fresh."

All eyes will be on Kauto Star in the King George come 15:00, but there's plenty of money to be won before then...

Warwick passed an early-morning inspection after the anticipated rain missed the track, but it's still expected to be testing ground and stamina will come into play all day, which is why Lively Fling, who is dropping in trip, is the selection in the opener (12:40). Never out of the frame in four starts as a juvenile, Lively Fling finished runner-up over nineteen furlongs on soft ground at Newbury on his final outing in 2009/10 and is easily excused his reappearance, when reportedly losing a shoe. His stable hadn't really got going at the time, either, but is in much better form now, and today's drop back to two miles could be right up his street, with his stamina for further brought into play by the ground.

The second of today's selections comes on the polytrack at Lingfield, where Angelic Upstart looks overpriced in the 14:20. Palm Pilot currently trades as favourite, understandably so on the back of her promising Wolverhampton win, but Angelic Upstart arrives on an upward curve himself and is only 4 lb higher than when successful at Kempton last time. Although the Balding team has yet to strike in 2011, they have had only eight runners since the turn of the year and the way they ended 2010 is clearly a positive for the chances of hat-trick seeking Angelic Upstart.

Those of you who have read the Christmas Hurdle ante-post preview here on Betting.Betfair will be well aware of who the Timeform fancy is. Nothing has happened since that article was published to suggest that Khyber Kim (14:25) isn't still a good bet to get the better of defending Champion Hurdler Binocular, who was turned over in last year's Christmas hurdle en route to Cheltenham. In fact, this morning Nicky Henderson has expressed doubts about the suitability of the ground for his stable star, which only strengthens the argument that Khyber Kim is the one to be on. Last year's Champion runner-up was fully revitalised last season, winning the Greatwood and the International at Cheltenham prior to his second in the big one, and going on to land the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle. The fact that Khyber Kim is reappearing is far from a negative given his record when fresh and, for those who haven't already backed him at the recommended price, it's well worth getting involved at around [3.8].

Recommendations

Lively Fling @ [5.8] Warwick 12:40
Angelic Upstart @ [4.4] Lingfield 14:20
Khyber Kim @ [3.8] Kempton 14:25

Looking forward to King George day at Kempton? Enjoy it even more with a FREE racecard courtesy of Timeform. Click HERE to download your card.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>