Timeform UK SmartPlays / Timeform / 22 January 2012 /

A trio of meetings to get stuck into in Britain today, and here are three more SmartPlays from the Timeform Free Form Site....

Although she failed to find the back of the net with her four runners yesterday, Venetia Williams continues in good form and her Ballintubber Cross (14:00) looks the one to be on in the two-mile-five-furlong conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at Market Rasen this afternoon. The mount of Harry Challoner today, Ballintubber Cross shaped as if well ahead of his BHA rating when a close second to the unexposed Washington Road in a distance handicap at Towcester a month ago under the yard's other conditional Robert Dunne, and looks sure to build on that having only had a handful of starts. A 4 lb rise for that effort is not expected to prevent the seven-year-old from going very close again in a race that should be run to suit his hold-up style.

In the opening seven-furlong handicap at Kempton just 20 minutes later, Cut And Thrust (14:20) can bring up a hat-trick after scoring over course and distance in December (under today's rider, second won next time) and over the distance at Lingfield three weeks ago. Cut And Thrust travelled well and was not fully extended to beat My Jeanie by two lengths in that latest apprentice event and it can be assumed that a 5 lb weigths rise isn't too much of an issue when you consider he's spent most of his career racing off higher marks. The big worry is the lack of pace in the race combined with a wide draw, but with one of the best Kempton jockeys in Adam Kirby on board, it's anticipated that the positives will outweigh the negatives.

The claims of the final selection are obvious, as Fire In Babylon (15:55) won at the track on his handicap debut last time and potentially has plenty in hand of his official mark at present. As expected owing to the five-furlong increase in trip (his three starts in maidens last year were all at six furlongs), the son of stamina sire Montjeu showed much improved form when beating Hathaway by a short-head a week ago having been gelded since June when last seen and his shrewd yard have turned him out quickly, with the 6 lb penalty not expect to pose a threat to his winning chance. Jim Crowley retains the ride and the pair are expected to combine successfully again this afternoon.

Timeform SmartPlays

Back Ballintubber Cross @ [4.9] in the 14:00 at Market Rasen
Back Cut And Thrust @ [6.4] in the 14:20 at Kempton
Back Fire In Babylon @ [3.3] in the 15:55 at Kempton

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