Sand Stormers: Chambles to capitalise on drop in class

Sand Stormers / Paul Smith / 25 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Lingfield is the venue for Paul's best bet of the week.

"There was an interview with David Evans shown on ATR in the week where he made reference to the fact that Steelcut doesn’t like Lingfield. I am more than happy to accept the trainer’s verdict in this instance......"

After a disappointing series of results last week, Paul Smith has a strong fancy at Lingfield on Friday

In the couple of years that this column has been going, I can't recall a day as bad/frustrating (delete as applicable) as Saturday.

If the highlighted horses run badly with no excuses, it's easy enough to get rid of them and put it down as a bad job. Having watched both divisions of the Blue Square Series again on Wednesday morning, that is exactly what is going to happen to Picansort.
He did race around the inside but that was two bad runs in a row and if he wins next time, he can do it unbacked.

Steelcut wasn't much more promising, but he was on the part of the track furthest away from where the action unfolded and isn't as bad as the result looks.

There was an interview with David Evans shown on ATR in the week where he made reference to the fact that Steelcut doesn't like Lingfield. I am more than happy to accept the trainer's verdict in this instance - even though he duped me with that good run on his penultimate start - and he gets one more chance in the claimer at Wolverhampton on Friday (16.40).

It's obvious that he doesn't have outstanding claims at the weights, but there are question marks over Ebraam at the moment and Lucky Art is unlikely to be able to dominate. In fact, this has all the hallmarks of a real burn-up early on and perhaps Steelcut can pick the pieces up late on. If all eight stand their ground, he could be worth an each-way investment.

Showboating was put up as the nap last week and there was a real sense of disappointment as he passed the line. If he had run lamentably then so be it, but having been steered from stall 11 to the inside rail, he was always going to struggle and actually ran respectably.

It would be harsh to get rid of him when he shaped as though still in form and he is persevered with - presumably we will see him in another Blue Square qualifier when eligible.

Having recovered from Saturday's malaise, it was time for another trio of low blows on Tuesday. Even Stevens couldn't retain his unbeaten record over 5f at Southwell - he doesn't owe us anything and with no more suitable opportunities for him at the track this winter, he is sent on his way with a gold star on his report card.

Bond Fastrac ran another creditable race in defeat in a race won by a red-hot rival. He is still up to winning off this mark but it might need to come in a race full of exposed sprinters. Those opportunities do still crop up at this time of year though and he can have his day yet.

The cruellest blow was delivered by George Guru, who looked to have a competitive 1m handicap at Kempton in the bag when he took up the running close home. I suppose the poor souls who backed him at 1.2 in running felt worse than me, but there wouldn't have been much in it as Jim Crowley urged Maverik back in front on the line.

He was a touch keen in the early stages and might be worth dropping back to 7f, but he looks a really likable handicapper in an underrated stable and should gain compensation.

Anyway, enough of last week's travails - time to get back on the bike and hopefully hit the target this week.

Chambles ran well in stronger company at Kempton last time and she looks to have sound claims in the 7f handicap at Lingfield on Friday (14.20). There won't be anything of Pearl Rebel's ability in this line up, she has a good draw and Jim Crowley is as good as anyone out there.

I liked the way she kept to her task both when winning at Wolverhampton and when coming from a long way back last time, and she gets the dreaded nap selection.

Clear Praise goes in the 6f handicap at Kempton on Thursday (19.05) and these are his optimum conditions. His reappearance effort saw him make up plenty of ground before the combination of those exertions and the lack of match practice took their toll close home. His latest run is easy to swerve (too keen over 7f) and he can win off 80.

The direct debit on Kames Park will kick in half an hour earlier (Kempton 18.35) and with Kidlat and Rocky Rebel in the field, this might not be a dawdle. Double-figure odds do help alleviate the worries with him with regards the complexion of the race.

Sand Stormers NAP
Chambles 14.20 Lingfield, Friday

LIST OF HORSES TO FOLLOW
Aiaam Al Wafa (likely big improver when switched to handicaps (27/10))
Adorable Choice (underrated filly who did well to last as long as she did at Newbury (21/10))
Bond Fastrac (still well handicapped on old form and good second at Nottingham (11/10))
Chambles (going the right way and latest third (12/1) better than it looks)
Clear Praise (promising return from a break (8/12))
Flag Of Glory (shaped nicely on first run for Peter Hiatt (27/10); can do better)
Forever's Girl (best of those held up (10/11), return to 6f, Polytrack a plus)
George Guru (lightly raced and still on the up; poor draw (2/11))
Glastonberry (stuck to the inside (7/1) and still open to improvement)
Global Village (did well to make up as much ground as he did (2/1))
Greek Islands (looked worth upping in trip (12/10))
Incomparable (looks ready to strike when dropped back to 5f)
Intransigent (related to smart AW performer and promise on debut (10/10))
Kames Park (no chance the way he was ridden in slowly run race (12/10))
La Capriosa (forced an overly strong pace over the wrong trip (8/1))
Priestley's Reward (ran best race so far when second on All Weather debut (22/10))
Showboating (good effort in slowly run race (14/1))
Steelcut (best of those held up at Lingfield (7/1))
Wrapped Up (no chance from a wide draw last time (18/11); still unexposed)