ALGIERS should put the heat on the bookies in the Listed BetUK Quebec Stakes (3.33) at Lingfield Park.
Although a Group 3 winner at Jebel Ali back in February, the Simon and Ed Crisford trainee escapes a penalty for this test. Last month, Algiers just missed out in the Listed Churchill Stakes over this course and distance, holding a clear lead before being nailed on the line by Missed The Cut.
But that was no disgrace – the nose victor has been progressive in the hands of George Boughey in 2022. Algiers is the best horse in the race on official figures and his British Horseracing Authority rating of 110 gives him upwards of 3lb in hand of his opponents.
SEA TSARINA is fancied to gain a third career win by beating five rivals for the talkSPORT Winter Oaks Trial Irish EBF Fillies’ Handicap (3.00).
The daughter of Sea The Stars evidently hasn’t been an easy horse for William Haggas to train – Sea Tsarina approaches the end of her Classic season with just four runs under her belt.
Sea Tsarina wasn’t seen out at two but began to make up for lost time with a debut score at Great Yarmouth in June. Although beaten at odds of 2-7 at Newmarket later that month, my selection was back to winning form with a three-quarter-length margin in a one-mile novice stakes at Lingfield in August.
Sea Tsarina didn’t match that form on soft ground at Thirsk at the beginning of September but it’s interesting that Haggas has kept her on the go into the winter. A British Horseracing Authority mark of 87 looks within range for a well-bred filly and a first attempt at a mile and a quarter is expected to trigger further improvement.
Archie Watson approaches Christmas with his team in good order and AMOR DE MI VIDA, who cashed in on a falling mark at Wolverhampton at the beginning of the month, has plenty going for her in the BetUK Over 40,000 Live Streamed Races Handicap (1.15).
Dabirsim’s daughter beat Politics by a length and Dunstall Park and the runner-up gave the form a boost by going one better at Southwell on Thursday.
After stepping up in distance to triumph over course and distance 17 days ago, UMMSUQUAIM has strong claims of a follow-up in the Top Odds Every Day With BetUK Handicap (2.25). The Jean-René Auvray-saddled filly who drew a blank in her first 14 attempts was racing beyond a mile for the first time when sent off at 28-1 for a handicap over an additional four furlongs on her latest start.
Racing without the blinkers she had worn at Wolverhampton on her previous outing, Ummsuquaim showed marked improvement in beating Ruskin Red by one length and can defy a 3lb rise in the weights.
He hasn’t exactly been a winning machine with a record of 1-24, but LOTHIAN gained that sole success on the all-weather and is the selection for the BetUK’s Acca Club £5 Free Bet Handicap (1.50).
At Chelmsford City, FREE SOLO is put up as the alternative to hotpot Lord Paramount in the Betfred Play Fred’s 5 Million Handicap (2.40). The gelded son of Showcasing lost little in defeat at Chelmsford City three starts ago and, 2lb lower after two subsequent efforts, has each-way prospects at the least.
Robyn Brisland’s booking of David Probert catches the eye as NICK VEDDER seeks a seventh all-weather win in the Betfred Merry Christmas Handicap (2.05). The eight-year-old didn’t get the breaks at Kempton Park and Wolverhampton the last twice and the assessor has given this runner a chance of breaking his 20-run losing sequence.
A red-letter day could be in the offing for ELEGANT ELLEN in the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap (3.15). Stefano Cherchi’s partner failed to find the back of the net for Tim Easterby and Denis Hogan. A third at Chelmsford City on her second run for Amy Murphy suggested Elegant Ellen’s maiden status may not last much longer.
