ITV Racing Tips: Check out the best bets for week two of the Racing League at Lingfield
It's week two of the Racing League on Thursday evening and the competitive racing doesn't stop as the action rolls into Lingfield in front of the ITV Racing cameras. If you're still bamboozled by the concept, read our Guide To The Racing League here.,But in this piece we focus our attentions in finding some of the best bets on the card, and our in-house tipster Billy Grimshaw picks out some he hopes will be value...
17:10 - William Hill Build Your Odds Racing League Race Eight
The card kicks off with a classic confusing Racing League handicap puzzle, but there is a runner in here I think looks a bit overpriced and it could be the Scots who get off to the perfect start in week two. ABERAMA GOLD for Keith Dalgleish. This consistent performer never seems to run a bad race and was a good fifth last time out in a six furlong handicap at York under three weeks ago. Back over a furlong longer distance and on the polytrack (at which he is a course winner) he can make his presence felt and kick off the day in style for Team Scotland.
Keith Dalgleish's runner should be aided by the booking of talented five pound claimer Ryan Sexton and is my pick to land the spoils. Brunel Charm looks likely to start favourite for team Ireland and Richard Hughes and has an obvious chance, a course and distance winner and a horse who has shown his liking for this surface. Tadreeb is another course and distance winner in the field and is probably the big danger to the selection off the back of an 85 day break to bounce back.
17:40 - William Hill Build Your Odds Racing League Race Nine
Roger Varian is known for having his smart horses come along slowly and although his participation in the Racing League could muddy that particular argument, CONSENSUS DE VEGA has potential to be a class apart in the second race of the evening. This daughter of Lope De Vega shed her maiden tag under tonight's pilot Jack Mitchell last time out when short priced favourite at this track a month ago. This was.a weak contest, exemplified by her 4/9 SP, but she still looks a worthy favourite here to my eye and could give the East Team a welcome winner.
As with almost every race there are plenty of rivals for this one and the leading contender to Varian's filly according to the oddsmakers at the time of writing is Dream Show for Charlie Hills. He dead-heated at Newbury back in May which was a great effort, but his last effort at Newmarket left much to be desired. The quick surface that day could be an excuse but even so he must bounce back. Honky Tonk Man is another rival worthy of respect and with a return to the all weather after a near 100 day break after a disappointing run at Royal Ascot.
19:10 - William Hill Pick Your Places Racing League Race Twelve
A bit of a break until the next race in which I've found a horse worth backing and this race over a slightly longer trip can go to JEWEL MAKER. Yorkshire's Tim Easterby and David Allan combination will be itching to get a win for their county and the horse is flying at the moment, coming here off the back of a Haydock success in a handicap just four days ago. Easterby is a master at turning horses out quickly to record back to back wins and can do so again with this tough performer. He is carrying a penalty but a step up in trip should suit and I'd expect him to be there or thereabouts come the finish.
Tregony for Clive Cox looks the big danger with her winning record last season backed up by some solid runs this campaign. She excels when the pace is strong and by all known form that certainly will be the case in this race. Jean Baptiste is one of those who could force the pace and is dangerous if getting to the lead but could struggle with an unfortunate wide draw, while Red October had a good record in last season's Racing League and could be a lively outsider.
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19:40 - William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Racing League Race Thirteen
The final runner I like the look of in week two of the Racing League is MERLIN'S BEARD for Richard Hughes and Rossa Ryan for Team Ireland. Last seen at Ascot when things didn't fall his way, on his penultimate start he won at this track with quite a taking performance. He will have to carry a lot more weight than market leader Neandra but at current odds represents fine each-way value. The favourite's claims are obvious for all to see, with an impressive course and distance win nineteen days ago meaning he was hiked up in the weights to be eligible for this contest.
Purple Ribbon is an intriguing entrant having been off since October and tackling longer trips for the first time here, but can be left alone as there are too many ponderables attached, while Desert Emperor ran very well last time out at Chester when just about not making his winning effort at the right time to eventually finish fourth. He needs respect but overall I think Merlin's Beard still represents the value for this contest.