Racing tips: The return to hurdling looks the correct decision for Emitom

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Today is the start of the Lingfield ‘Million' meeting which is where prize money on your average handicaps and races are increased. It's a great incentive, and is something I fully support. It makes the races a lot more competitive as owners/trainers will want to win the prize money on offer, and in return we get better odds on the races, as they are tougher to work out. 

Lingfield 2:25

A bit of a weird race this one. It's got a combination of all, with the recent decent form on offer from Calva D'Auge and On The Blind Side. It's got the ex very useful staying chasing form from handicaps in Top Ville Ben, and it has EMITOM who returns to hurdles with something to prove after a second try over fences which clearly hasn't suited.

As you can tell from the bold letters, I've decided to give Emitom a chance. It's strange to think he is still an 8yo, and is still somewhat lightly raced over hurdles, as it seems like he's been around for a long time. When he first came on the scene he was a very interesting staying hurdler, who appeared to have the world at his feet. For whatever reason, it didn't quite go to plan, but I still believe he is a talented horse and can win a race of this nature, which isn't the best race by any means. He finished 2nd to Champ as a Novice hurdler at the Aintree spring meeting, and has since finished 5th in the Stayers' hurdle, so it goes to show the level he has ran at previously. Warren Greatrex has said, “We're switching back to hurdles as Brian Hughes said he didn't seem to enjoy chasing last time. He's in good order and still seems to retain his best form, so he should have a big chance.” I totally agree with this move, and this race is a perfect starting point. They will race off level weights, there is good prize money on offer, and it will show what ability he retains over the smaller obstacles.

You'd like to think that On The Blind Side is the one to beat, after his good run in the Long Distance Grade 2 where he finished runner-up. The reason I am against him is that I think he has had a couple of tough races since that, and he's only been off the track for 20 days, so might still be feeling the effects. If he is fit and healthy, this could be a cracking little race.

Lingfield 4:08

Not exactly my strongest ever selection, but I think a mark of 118 makes TILE TAPPER a bet in this on his second chase start. He had some decent form as a novice hurdler, especially on stamina sapping ground, which includes a runner-up position to Metier, who went on to win the Tolworth. His form has tailed off since a couple of good runs, but with that has come a drop in the ratings, and I think it's interesting they've decided to pitch him into this specific meeting in a race which is clearly competitive when he's so inexperienced over fences. The prize money at this meeting is really good, but this particular race doesn't offer that much, but it's still a decent £10k. I think Chris Honour knows he is well-handicapped, and he must be confident that he is going to run a big race, as he could have easily found him an easier run at a smaller meeting on a Monday or something similar. He is okay value at around 5/1, but he is carrying bottom weight, and handles the conditions, so I think he is worth a little play in the final race of the day at Lingfield.

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