It’s fair to say that recent winning form is in short supply in the Daily Specials & Price Boosts Starsports.bet Handicap (2.20) at Lingfield on Monday, but Betsalottie won a couple of handicaps – including one over course and distance – over the winter and looks feasibly weighted on his return from a short break. For those looking at the racing tips, it should be apparent that Veteran trainer John Bridger does well with his small string of moderate horses and after three fairly nondescript efforts on turf – most recently in a 0-75 contest at Goodwood in June – Betsalottie returns to Polytrack off an identical handicap mark to when winning over 1 miles 4 furlongs in February.
Consistency isn’t his strong suit but, on the whole, Lingfield suits his closing style and the faster they go, especially over 1 mile 2 furlongs, the better for him. With the possible exception Special Mission – who forced the pace at Redcar last time – the absence of an obvious front runner, together with a high proportion of hold up horses, introduces the possibility of a slowly-run, “messy” race, which is a slight worry. So, too, is the form of the stable.
Nevertheless, the booking of Kieran O’Neill, who has a 7-29 (24%) strike rate on older horses for the yard this season, suggests a positive showing is on the cards. With the track riding slower than standard, stamina may be at a premium and, hopefully, Betsalottie can be delivered fast and late to record his second course and distance win of the year.
Selection: Lingfield 2.20 Betsalottie to win 9/1