bettrends.co.uk

THURSDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 09

2.40 SOUTHWELL

My Sweet Georgia got the upper hand over Madison Belle in a similar race here last week and with today’s extra furlong looking to be in her favour there is no reason why the form should be reversed, even though she is 1lb worse off.  

3.40 SOUTHWELL

Air Lion really caught the eye with an encouraging effort over course and distance last Thursday. He really gave the odds-on favourite something to think about in the closing stages before finally being put in his place but this doesn’t look as tough and he should be able to get off the mark.

3.45 NAD AL SHEEBA

Calming Influence will prove a popular choice with punters but he looked far from straightforward last time. With him likely to start an unrealistically short price because of connections I would look to take him on with Wise Dennis who gets the benefit of a first time visor and Johnny Murtagh in the saddle. He won over a mile in Dubai last year and I am buoyed by his effort when 4th over 10f last Friday. Fleeting Shadow can prove a dark horse after a sound effort here in January.

4.45 NAD AL SHEEBA

Once again Godolphin look set to start favourite but the one I was impressed with most was Mourilyan who battled on bravely when third here earlier this month. I think he will appreciate the extra two furlongs today and I can see him outstaying most of these.

5.15 NAD AL SHEEBA

J J The Jet Plane was hugely disappointing here last week but by all accounts he is a superstar in his native South Africa so he could be worth another chance today.

7.20 WOLVERHAMPTON

This looks quite an open contest but I quite like the chances of the course and distance winning Music Box Express. Six furlongs looks his ideal trip and he looked to be returning to form when 4th at Kempton a fortnight ago. He is down another 1lb today and I can see him having too much pace for his rivals.

8.20 WOLVERHAMPTON

I will be interesting to see how Blacktoft fares with an extra 4lbs on his back but if I decide to play I will probably look to Spirit Of Adjisa. He wasn’t really suited to the muddling pace at Kempton last month but still deserves some credit for staying on for second on his first start since October. That will have blown away the cobwebs and off a stronger pace he could prove difficult to beat.