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Step up in trip should be ideal for Town Moor pick
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Menzies maestro might spring a surprise in closer
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Switch to Cheltenham could suit northern raider
Doncaster, 15:08 - Back George's Lad @ 5/23.50
Emma Lavelle's five-year-old is rapidly approaching 'cliff horse' status in the Turner household but I'm hopeful he can finally repay the loyalty in this Class 3 handicap.
The selection returns to the scene of his sole career success to date here and that could be the catalyst for him reaching the winner's enclosure for the second time, especially as he posted another fine effort in defeat at Ascot last time.
Connections took the decision to drop George's Lad in trip last time and the Order Of St George gelding just lacked the gears to get on top of the likes of Trustintimes and Fortune De Mer.
However, he stuck to his task well from the second last having again travelled powerfully and today's return to a more suitable trip should be enough to see him go close with the presence of front-runners Bucephalus and Peacenik likely to provide the genuine gallop George's Lad relishes.
Back George's Lad in the 15:08 at Doncaster
Cheltenham, 15:35 - Back Lihyan each-way @ 14/115.00
https://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/racecards/12-december-2025/cheltenham/10/7/#lihyan-ire
Strong cases can be made in this closing handicap for both Lucky Draw, two from two on the New Course and winner of this race 12 months ago, and Lucky Manifest who is improving swiftly and chased home the progressive subsequent scorer A Pai De Nom at the last meeting.
Both have compelling claims, but the market appreciates their talents too, so I wonder if the under-appreciated Lihyan may give us a good run for our money at 14/115.00.
The selection was totally unsuited by the way in which the Market Rasen handicap he contested last time transpired and, in the circumstances, did well to finish third, just a place and half-a-length behind Tranquil Sea who is a quarter of the price at the time of writing.
Lihyan's finishing speed percentage of 115.55% (the winner 118.3%) illustrates the paucity of pace at Rasen where position was key and the winner, C'est Different was indeed different gravy off an exploitable mark and better track position.
In contrast to last time and the tight turns of the Lincolnshire venue, the switch to a track like the New hurdles course at Cheltenham should suit Lihyan as the field only jump two hurdles in the final six furlongs and races can often by won by a horse and rider that blinks last.
Hopefully, young conditional William Maggs will employ the usual tactics of dropping Lihyan out and leave his challenge until late in the peace and from a form and price perspective, 14/115.00 looks too big.
Back Lihyan in the 15:35 at Cheltenham