Bailey can repeat Stratford success with chasing debutant
Back Happygolucky @ 3.02/1 in the 13:06 at Stratford
Kim Bailey's horses are in such good form at the moment that it's worth sticking with the trainer again with his potentially above-average chasing debutant Happygolucky at Stratford on Thursday.
He won his maiden hurdle at the track last season in taking fashion and subsequently ran in a couple of graded contests at Cheltenham and Sandown - travelling well in a race against the likes of Champagne Well and Thyme Hill.
His final effort of the season was a creditable fourth in the Martin Pipe at the Festival, and horses that run in that tend to be strong stayers. So soft conditions (which he has won in) over 2m5f looks an ideal starting point over fences.
Bailey is operating at a 32% strike-rate over the last 14 days and horses from his yard seem very forward for their seasonal returns.
War can grab the glory again at Lingfield
14:15 Lingfield - Back War Glory @ 7.06/1
This Lingfield card was always a bit of a favourite of mine 'back in the day' when Godolphin used to field some decent horses across the meeting. In 2010 the boys in blue took both of the fillies' Listed races with Frankie Dettori on board. Dettori used to be a real master around this track, and loved his carbon copy rides of sitting handy in second or third and pouncing down the straight.
He rides two for John Gosden in those races.
And I'll take that sort of 'Frankie' position with War Glory, who was a big mover on the Sportsbook on Wednesday.
He lines up in a hot-looking 7f handicap, but he did win the race 12 months ago from 103 and he's 1lb lower to repeat the success.
War Glory has been chipping away on the turf this season, but he is a 20lb better horse on the all-weather, and Lingfield suited his style last year when he picked up really well to win going away by over two lengths.
Last time he stayed on from a poor position at Chelmsford over 1m to suggest he remains in good heart and his record is so impressive on artificial surfaces, I expect him to go close again defending his crown.