DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING

FRIDAY JANUARY 31

3.15 LINGFIELD

Harriet Dickin’s horses are in tremendous form at present, with three of her last seven runners winning, and JUST AIDEN (best price11-4) has a reasonable chance of adding his name to the list in this open-looking novices handicap hurdle.

In fairness, the six-year-old hadn’t shown much up until his excellent effort behind Chicago Storm at Wincanton last time out but now he has managed to put something meaningful on the board, it is hoped he can build on that performance and carry the same level of form on to today’s race and behind.

The main reason for feeling upbeat about his chances today stems from the race at the west country venue being run in a three second quicker time than the novice hurdle won by the useful South Omo Zone (runner up rated 117) and when you consider this chap is only rated 75, it’s puts into perspective the magnitude of his display.

Third behind the useful pair Plasir Des Flos (now rated 124) and Jasmin De Grugy (127) in a much better race than the one he faces today on soft ground last season, a repeat of that performance or the one he achieved last time should be good enough for him to be vying for top honours.

JUST AIDEN – 1-point win@11-4

6.00 SOUTHWELL

SWINGING LONDON (best price 3-1) gave the impression he won with more to spare than the bare result suggested over tonight’s C&D last time out and he is fancied to back up that view on his return visit.

Following a cracking effort in a much better race previously, John Mackie’s inmate was all the rage to take advantage of a drop in grade on his return to the Midland venue and although he had to work hard to justify the gamble, he ultimately won a shade cosily from the hat trick seeking Carlton.

Although his speed figure in victory wasn’t quite as good as the number he managed to post in defeat the week before, the fact he, along with the runner-up pulled seven lengths clear of the remainder tells its own tale and a mandatory penalty shouldn’t be enough to stop him following up if in the same mood.

SWINGING LONDON – 1-point win@3-1

8.00 SOUTHWELL

Joolianoss arrives here on a bit of a roll, but this will easily his toughest task so far to date and MASTER OF COMBAT (best price 5-1) is one of several who can provide a stumbling block for James Evans’ hat trick seeker.

A winner at Wolverhampton five starts ago, Kevin Frost’s gelding has run some commendable races in defeat subsequently and his latest effort at Lingfield reads well in the context of today’s race.

Hitting the front and looking likely to score swinging off the home bend, he couldn’t quite match, however, the turn of foot exhibited by Invincible Aura, who swooped conqueror down the favoured outside part of the track, but as the winner threw in a final furlong of 10.9, he was hardly likely to match than level of speed at his advantaging years.

Better suited by a slightly slower surface/less pace driven track, he has managed to hit the frame on all four runs at tonight’s venue and based on his recent data, there seems no logical reason why he won’t maintain those excellent stats on his return visit.

MASTER COMBAT – 1-point each-way@5-1