DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY DECEMBER 8
12.07 LINGFIELD
A race where many of the main players arrive her following victories last time out but the one with one of the most creditable recent runs comes in the shape of SHEIKH RAJ (best price 11-4) and he could end up being the fly in the ointment to those looking to repeat the dose.
Still awaiting his first win after nine starts, Richard Hughes’ inmate may have only finished sixth of 13 at Chelmsford last time out but the race was a hugely competitive one and, befitting of one of its kind, produced a very smart speed figure – suggesting the form should be worth following.
Trying 1m2f for the first time at the Essex venue, he stayed the trip well enough from the back of the field, but he has got plenty of decent efforts next to his name over a mile or shorter in the past, so dropping back two furlongs shouldn’t present too much of a problem here.
Blinkered for the first time, presumably to provide him with some early impetus, a better track position than of late can hopefully result in a more productive result.
SHEIKH RAJ – 1-point win@9-4
8.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
PENELOPE VALENTINE (NAP) (best price 11-4) showed a willing attitude in getting the job done at Lingfield last time out and she looks primed to keep her excellent all-weather record intact over a C&D where she is just as comfortable.
Ridden just off the pace at the Surrey venue, James Owen’s three-year-old worked her way into the picture turning for home and with a strong run down the centre of the track, she stayed on tenaciously all the way to the line.
In fending off the late thrust of Way To Dubai, she posted a very useful speed figure for the grade and for the second time in four starts the visors really seemed to focus her mind.
Prior to that game success, her slightly below par effort can be put down to the fact she was hung out to dry from her wide draw, but she shouldn’t have any excuses on that front on her return visit, and she looks the most reliable of these fillies on show.
PENELOPE VALENTINE – 1-point win@11-4