Timeform 1-2-3 Tips / Sam Randall / 30 January 2011 /

Three for Sunday...

Only five runners in Kempton's third race (14:45) and three of them arrive on the back of wins, but Mr Optimistic has begun to get his act together lately and his latest Wolverhampton success was easily his best performance. A 9 lb rise for that win makes things much harder here, but he's worth giving a chance to confirm his improvement with the up-and-coming George Chaloner taking a handy 7 lb off this afternoon.

Mannlichen (15:35) was a dual all-weather winner for Mark Johnston and, although he had his quirks on the Flat, he's made a most encouraging start to life over hurdles, travelling particularly well and finding just one too good in a gruelling stamina test at Towcester on his latest outing. He left the impression that day that he's a winner in waiting from this sort of mark and gets the nod today.

Mark Johnston has his string in outstanding form and Lovers Causeway (16:15) can further enhance his good record in the mile-and-a-half handicap at Kempton this afternoon. His stamina was stretched at Wolverhampton when last seen, but he'd previously been progressing in good style at this sort of trip and can resume his upward curve with Joe Fanning, who has been on board for three of his four wins, back in the saddle. Lovers Causeway might not get his own way out in front given the the fact Kidlat is in today's field, but he's sure to outstay that one in the straight and is a confident selection at [2.98].

Recommendations
Back Mr Optimistic @ [3.2] Kempton 14:45
Back Mannlichen @ [3.3] Hereford 15:35
Back Lovers Causeway @ [2.98] Kempton 16:15

:

:

:

?

: