Weekend Selections from the In It To Win It Team (25th February)

Back down to earth with a bang last week when all four selections were unplaced, I mean the boys did set the bar high first week with three winners, I'm still looking for a place never mind a winner after my selection Intergalacticat stayed on again but never got involved, soon as the 2yos are back the better.

I've actually got a few races to choose from this weekend, I'm going with one at Lingfield which looks like a cracking card.

I've not had many trackers popping up lately but one has come through here, first off this looks a tough little race with a nice mix of experience and a few dark horses that could be anything. I'll mention a few.

Restrict has the assistant of Jamie Spencer for his second run. Slowly away on debut before headway on the inside and stayed on to finish fourth, should be wiser this timeout. Simcock and Spencer have a decent strike rate together so if supported under 5s should have a good chance. 

Another dark horse is Crimson Angel for Clive Cox, the fact the Harry Angel filly started around 5s on debut is a good sign. Another who was slow away but kept on the final furlong without threatening, did hang her head a bit which I'm not keen on but the break could sort that out, was behind Soaring Eagle that day but could reverse that today. Anything over 15/2 is negative for me.

@prohorseracing

2.40 Lingfield: DIDEROT - 100/30 3rd 

Superb comeback run after 203 days off the track last month at Southwell. Showed signs of keenness early on before travelling notably strongly as he approached the home straight. Hit the front 2 furlongs from home and only passed inside the final furlong. It was impressive to see him being able to keep up strongly all the way to the line, which only horse in near peak form could do. He ran to a strong 88 speed rating on the day, not too far off his best. Today is a hotter race on paper, but judged on performances over the last twelve months his best is best in this field, in fact. There should be a quite a bit of pace that will likely suit him to slot in behind the leaders and come with a strong finish in the final furlong to hopefully win the race.

@CraigNewton175

15.30 Lingfield 25 Feb NOGO'S DREAM (Ew) 10/1 2nd

My tracker is the Richard Hughes Oasis Dream gelding Nogo's Dream who hasn't been seen since finishing tenth on his debut at Goodwood 214 days ago, the 90,000 gns bay gelding was towards the rear and checked when making a move, he could have got a bit closer I'm sure, I'm wondering if the five here is a bit short. The debut race has produced a few winners and Richard did win this race last year so that will do for me, over 8s a negative which is important as it's an angle I often use, that's the difficulty trying to put up selections the day before. 

@Equinefutures

Lingfield 17.00 25 Feb SUNDAYINMAY  4/1 2nd

I think we have a still well handicapped winner waiting to happen here in SUNDAYINMAY who bumped into progressive Goldsmith, D Day Odette and then ran a great race against a pace masterfully orchestrated by J Spencer last timeout. Would be just her luck if Beckett’s Cresta De Vega turns out to be another to bump into. There’s others here like consistent One Step Beyond who won well last time unusually held up in a messy paced race last timeout and Marion's Boy who could do better back down in grade so the price should be reasonable 🤞 GL GL!!

@RacingTictac

13.30 Lingfield EXALTED ANGEL 7/2 6th

Backed this one LTO in the Kachy Stakes, where he ran a huge race to finish a close 3rd. That was over 6f and he drops again to 5f and against genuine sprinters but it's clear he is in form at present and this could play into his hands if he can remain close enough. 

The last time out, he ran very wide after hanging right off the final bend and did well to battle on in the straight and was winning at the final furlong pole. A race where the form has been franked with the runner up Diligent Harry winning since. Smart form. 

Interesting here, that a first time visor is applied. This could aid in keeping his mind on the job and going forward but also ideal if wanting company. It’s likely he will not be in front of this lot by any means anyway but if it sharpens him up then he no doubt will be doing his best work at the finish at this trip.

He started this race as the 5/2jf last year and was 4th but it appeared to be a fairly slow run affair considering it is the minimum trip and he has been outpaced when the dash is on and can’t make an impression. 

I can see a completely different scenario here and it should be no hanging about from the start. Trainer won this race back in 2020. 

EA has not won since 2021 but has run some huge races in defeat including over this trip. He has the form to go close in this at least and if he can replicate the kind of form he showed LTO then he would be a huge player here IF he can keep tabs on the pace setters. 

I do not take any lightly in this hotly contested race but feel Exalted Angel, if switched on by this headgear change can take it to them on his best.

One more to follow which will be uploaded tomorrow.

Advised bet Lucky 15

Good luck and thanks for reading.