Timeform UK SmartPlays: Saturday February 15

Our regular Sandstormers column could enjoy some success in the 14:50 at Lingfield with the two main contenders, Black Cadillac and Haadeeth, highlighted as being horses worth following. The latter is some 11 lb lower than his last winning mark but the one fancied to emerge on top is Black Cadillac, who served notice that his turn could be near when a luckless third over C&D last week. The five-year-old had just looked to be struggling for form prior to that effort but the signs were much more positive, doing well to finish as close as he did having been held-up off a fairly steady pace before meeting interference a furlong out. Haadeeth is likely to make him work, and it could be worth having an interest on the straight forecast, but Black Cadillac looks up to returning to winning ways. 

The main event of the day at Ascot is without doubt the Betfair Ascot Chase, due off at 15:50, but our second SmartPlay runs in the competitive handicap hurdle at 15:15. Sadler's Risk, Bourne and Timeform Notebook entrant The Bear Trap all make plenty of appeal but the Nicky Henderson-trained General Miller is the one we have plumped for, as he looks to have been given a real chance by the handicapper on return from a 546 day absence. The eight-year-old was a leading novice hurdler in 2009/10, winning a Grade 2 at Aintree's April meeting, but has been very lightly raced since, though he proved that he is effective when fresh as he finished second to Overturn on his most recent outing having been off the track for around nine months prior to that. There is an air of unfinished business surrounding General Miller, and he is taken as being capable of getting back on track here. 

We return to the polytrack for our final selection of the day, in Lingfield's 16:35, where our Sandstormers column will hopefully enjoy even further success with the William Knight-trained Saoi, who was highlighted following his at Wolverhampton last month. The six-year-old, formerly trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger, is very lightly raced for once of his age having taken to the track on just eight occasions but he has improved of late in winning his last two starts. Discovery Bay, a winner at Lingfield on Friday, commands plenty of respect as does Harry Buckle, but Saoi remains unexposed and it is hoped that he has yet more to offer, so he is a confident selection. 

Timeform SmartPlays
Back Black Cadillac @ 4.131/10 in the 14:50 at Lingfield
Back General Miller @ 6.86/1 in the 15:15 at Ascot
Back Saoi @ 4.03/1 in the 16:35 at Lingfield

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