Lingfield preview: Thomas to Blossom under Baker
Published:
David Metcalf | January 20, 2016
Thomas Blossom can take advantage of a drop in class to land the 1m 5f handicap on today’s card at Lingfield (14.10) now partnered by George Baker for the first time.
The gelding was in terrific form last year when winning three times for trainer Pat Chammings, with the last of those successes coming in a class 5 contest at this venue.
After being held-up off the pace in a slowly run race, Thomas Blossom showed a smart turn of foot to get up close home and score by a head off a mark of 60.
The six-year-old backed that up with a solid third in a class 4 contest at Wolverhampton off a revised rating of 68, and is now able to race in this lower grade class 6 affair off 65.
It gives Thomas Blossom every chance at the weights on the pick of his form, and he comes into the race having shaped as if needing the outing when fifth at Wolverhampton last month on his first start for Ali Brewer.
That was the son of Dylan Thomas’s first run after a break and should have blown away the cobwebs and put Thomas Blosson spot on for this.
The booking of Baker is another plus, as he is terrific on hold-up horses and the ideal partner to deliver Thomas Blossom with a telling late run.
Gabrial The Thug worth a punt
In the 1m handicap (15.20), Gabrial The Thug can go well at a big price having dropped to a handy mark.
The Richard Fahey trained gelding is a four-time winner on the all-weather, and in the last of those successes four months ago beat Kodiac Lady by a neck off a mark of 65 at Wolverhampton.
Gabrial The Thug got put up to 67 for that victory and has subsequently failed to trouble the judge in six starts.
However, the six-year-old has often shaped better than the bare result suggests and the handicapper has been quick to lend a hand.
Gabrial The Thug is now able to race off a reduced mark of 61, 4lb lower than when last victorious, and that gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective.
The son of Azamour also has the services in the saddle off Sammy Jo Bell who is terrific value for her 3lb claim, and taking it into account Gabrial The Thug looks weighted to run a huge race.
Selections
12.30: Fearbuster
13.00: J’aspire
13.35: Corporal Maddox
14.10: Thomas Blossom (NAP)
14.45: Alshaqee
15.20: Gabrial The Thug (NB)
15.55: First Rebellion
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