Daily Betting Advice / Mark Powell-Bevan / 02 February 2011 /

There are two selections from Lingfield on Wednesday and a best bet from Newcastle...

Open-age maidens at Lingfield at this time of year are notoriously weak, unless one of the powerful stables such as that of Mark Johnston (which wins everything at the moment) decides to run one of their late-developing 3-y-os, but that's not the case today in the 14:10, and it looks a good opportunity for Primo De Vida to get off the mark. Primo De Vida did most of his racing in his first two seasons for Ralph Beckett over 7f and has also kept to that trip for his first two starts for Jim Boyle, but the drop back to six today could just be the making of him. He over-raced slightly when tried in cheekpieces at Kempton last time but should be able to make more of his cruising speed down at this trip, sure to be able to dominate this lesser opposition should his rider so want.

An hour later at Lingfield, Ocean Countess has a similar profile to another Tony Carroll success story in the shape of Ocean Legend (who incidentally has an excellent chance in the 19:20 at Kempton tonight), who joined the Worcestershire handler from Julia Fielden last winter and went on to register three wins in the first two months of the year. Ocean Countess is yet to get off the mark for Carroll, but she's shaped with enough promise on both starts for the yard so far to think it's only a matter of time, doing well to mount a strong challenge after left plenty to do (typically slowly away) when runner-up at Kempton last time. A Brighton specialist for her former stable, she's potentially very well handicapped off a BHA mark of 51 (has won off 67) and should get the well-run race she needs with a couple of confirmed front runners in the line up.

It will be pretty testing up at Newcastle today, but that won't be any problem for Star Player who looks a good bet in the handicap chase at 15:50. Chris Grant's gelding shaped as if amiss in 2009/10 but bounced right back to his best when successful over C&D earlier this month, producing a polished round of jumping to beat subsequent winner Arctic Mick by three lengths. The ground was similar to what Star Player will encounter today and, from just a 5 lb higher mark, he has an excellent chance of going in again.

Recommendations

Back Primo De Vida @ [3.0] Lingfield 14:10
Back Ocean Countess @ [2.9] Lingfield 15:10
Back Star Player @ [3.9] Newcastle 15:50

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