DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 26
1.55 MARKET RASEN
LIHYAN (best price 4-1) has run to a fair level of form on his last two starts and the only previous C&D winner in today’s line-up is a strong choice to keep that record intact.
A fine third in a competitive Aintree handicap hurdle following a 119-day break, the form of that race has had a boost subsequently by the likes of Kikijo and Heather Honey and there was nothing wrong with his effort in a better race at Newbury last time out.
Despite not able to peg back Haiti Couleurs from two out, he stayed on strongly all the way to the line and in a race that was not run to suit (slow time figure), Rebecca Menzies’ inmate did about as well as could be expected in the circumstances.
Better suited by a well-run affair in the past, the likes of Johnson’s Blue and Secret Trix should ensure there will not be any hanging around and, under his usual patient ride, he can be delivered with a well-time challenge at the business end.
LIHYAN – 1-point each-way@4-1
6.15 CHELMSFORD
MISTER SANDMAN (best price 2-1) offered signs of better days ahead with his effort at Bath last time out and with today’s step up in trip seen as a source of improvement, Gary & Josh Moore’s recruit has a decent opportunity to finally get off the mark.
Having his first outing for his current stable at the Somerset venue last month, the three-year-old fly-jumped out of the stalls which caused him to give away valuable ground but to his great credit, he worked himself back into the picture to finish a never-nearer second.
Draw 11 of 11 at Lingfield previously, his wide track position led to him being way too keen in the early part of that race that ultimately caused his downfall late on but he did show enough ability in the duration of that six-furlong contest to suggest he should easily be capable of scoring at a low level.
Up an extra furlong here today and potentially more favourably positioned providing he breaks cleaner, the scopey son of Starspangledbanner can finally start to realise his true worth.
MISTER SANDMAN – 1-point win@2-1