Daryl Carter has two selections on Friday and looks to Lingfield for his best bet. He is expecting a big performance from one returning to the track fresh...
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The time to catch the NAP is fresh
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Good Lingfield record
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Take a very small chance with Mack The Man at Musselburgh
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Arthur's Realm will be popular after an excellent third in the Doncaster Spring Mile. He now drops into a Class 4 off a very tempting mark.
However, he is well found in the market, and it may be worth chancing Shockwaves - 13/27.50 on the Betfair Sportsbook - who has similarly high-class form as the market leader and made a triumphant reappearance at this venue last year and looks handicapped to go well.
The five-year-old has been off the track since August, but his two best performances have come here at Lingfield when he is fresh. He was a dominant winner over King Cabo here last May when he easily made all the running, and his previous visit to this venue was a staying-on third behind Awaal (102) and Britannia Stakes winner Thesis (99).
There is a serious lack of pace in this contest, and he may be able to dominate these rivals from a wide draw in stall eight. A steadily run race wouldn't suit Arthur's Realm. Arthur's Realm was ahead of the selection at Chelmsford last season, but this sharper track, which emphasizes speed, will suit Shockwaves much better if he is ready to fire.
Back the selection at 5/16.00 or bigger.
Claiming jockeys have done me little favours this week, and siding with another at a sharp track like Musseburgh might be asking for trouble, so only a small stake play is advised on Mack The Man - 10/111.00 on the Betfair Sportsbook.
The formerly useful hurdler is dropped like a stone through the handicap for many dismal performances, and he is doubtful to ever recapture his previous form at the age of ten.
However, he did run his best race for the yard with his headgear switched to the visor at Ayr last time. Although readily held by his stablemate, he went with plenty of zest and finished with a real kick crossing the line. Frustratingly for his backers there, he was leading, jumping the last, but his jockey didn't make enough use of him down the home straight, failing to organise himself quickly enough.
He is capable in this company off this rating on a going day, having won at Exeter in 2021 off 26lb higher, and he might be worth chancing after the latest positive signs in an open race if he adopts the same forward.
Back him at 10/111.00 or bigger.