Timeform UK SmartPlays / Timeform / 04 February 2012 /

Disappointingly, the freezing temperatures have caused a National Hunt wipeout but the all-weather still provides plenty of betting opportunities and here are three SmartPlays from Timeform's Free Form Site...

The mile handicap at Lingfield looks a competitive race with many horses coming into it in top form, but Richard Hannon's Numeral (15:00) has more to offer and could be ahead of all of them. Since switched to polytrack in late September, the Highclere Thorouhbred-owned four-year-old has won three of his four races and finished second in the other, all handicaps, and though his BHA rating has risen from 70 to today's 86 in the process, Numeral's Timeform ratings have followed a similar curve and it wouldn't be a surprise if he were to pull out more this afternoon. Kieran O'Neill was on board for Numeral's career-best last time and, with a pedigree that suggests the step up to a mile should suit, the course winner can resume where he left off 59 days ago.

Anthony Carson, son of legendary jockey Willie and father of promising young rider William, has made a bright start to his career thanks to three-time winning sprinter Peace Seeker, but the Newmarket handler could have more reason to celebrate with Status Symbol (15:35) in the staying handicap, also at Lingfield. Owned by Carson Snr, Status Symbol is a useful performer who won a Newmarket handicap (12f) in August but who is also very effective on polytrack, his two highest Timeform figures coming when third and fifth in listed races at Kempton last winter. A front-runner in a race where pace angles are at a minimum, the top-rated Status Symbol can take advantage today and defy an official rating of 95.

Most punters may associate Gordon Elliott with Cheltenham Festival and Grand National success, but the County Meath trainer isn't adverse to switching codes (see Dirar's 2010 Ebor victory) and can record his third winner at Wolverhampton today with Face Value (15:45) in the mile-and-three-quarter handicap. Face Value showed only glimmers of ability in six starts for Brian Meehan and was knocked down to his new trainer for just 1,200gns at Tattersalls in July last year, but he shaped with promise on his first start for the yard when fifth of 14 in a handicap at Dundalk in January. Despite the horse that finished a place behind that day having won since, Face Value has actually been dropped 1 lb and, in a race that isn't going to take much winning, he can succeed under Jimmy Fortune.

Timeform SmartPlays
Back Numeral @ [5.8] in the 15:00 at Lingfield
Back Status Symbol @ [6.6] in the 15:35 at Lingfield
Back Face Value @ [3.3] in the 15:45 at Wolverhampton

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