DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY JANUARY 13
1.18 PUNCHESTOWN
AWAY TO MILAN (best price 11-2) has failed to get home on his two previous starts over 2m3f at today’s track so far this season but now given a chance to flex his muscles over the minimum trip, Philip Rothwell makes plenty of appeal in this slightly weaker affair.
Always prominent on his first outing for 492 days here back in November, the lengthy absence understandably took control of his system on the run-in, but it was a performance that strongly hinted he should be adding to his sole career victory at some stage during the campaign.
An early casualty when favourite to back up that view at Navan next time, the seven-year-old once again swung into the home straight in front when back at the Kildare venue a month ago only to fade once headed after the last and that effort begs the question as to whether he truly stays the trip, especially when aggressively ridden.
Looking at all three of his best runs on the figures last season, they came in and around two miles and, in a race where he is very much a big fish in a small pond, the son of Getaway has every chance of going well in the hands of a lady amateur attached to the yard (good chance she would have ridden plenty of times at home).
AWAY TO MILAN – ½ point each-way@11-2
2.00 LINGFIELD
EXISTENT (best price 7-2) is really pushing towards getting his head back in front again on the evidence of his last three performances with any amount of luck in running, Stuart Willaims’ inmate can gain due rewards for his consistency.
It was almost two years since the seven-year-old stepped foot on an all-weather surface when he finished a respectable third on his first start for 81 days at Chelmsford a month ago and since then, he has gone on to better that position twice.
His latest effort over today’s C&D saw him finish off his race with so much gusto inside the final furlong he left the impression in no uncertain terms his turn is surely only just around the corner and with the competitive he faces holding no fears, the son of Kingman can add to his impressive all-weather stats.
EXISTENT – 1-point win@7-2
4.00 LINGFIELD
MASQOOL (best price 4-1) is arguably better at Wolverhampton than anywhere else, but he has won over today’s C&D twice in the past and with James Evans’ inmate bringing a decent amount of confidence to the party, he looks set to give it a good crack at completing a quick hat trick.
The seven-year-old has taken advantage of a tumbling mark on his last two starts at Dunstall Park and having made all on the first occasion, he was equally happy to take a lead before going on to success a week later over the same C&D.
Although up to a rating of 65 now, it’s worth pointing out he has run well off as high as 77 in the not too dim and distant past and whether he decides to take the bull by the horns and makes the running or is more content taking a lead – which would be preferably – the son of Invincible Spirit should give a good account no matter how the race pans out.
MASQOOL – 1-point win@4-1