Alan Thomson’s Racing Tips: Mantovani ready to strike

THE penultimate day's racing of 2018 features action from Haydock, Taunton and Lingfield and here are Thommo's best bets.

Taunton 12.45

MANTOVANI can strike a winning note at Taunton on the back of a highly promising third to useful duo Fanfan Du Seuil and Our Power at Exeter. Trainer Harry Fry does well at his local track and Mantovani twice finished fourth on two starts on the Flat for James Fanshawe.

Haydock 2.30

VOLCANO (2.30) could be too hot to handle for his rivals in the handicap hurdle at Haydock. Volcano, the only four-year-old in the line-up, made a promising introduction at Chepstow in October, running third to Pym, and he lost out in a photo to Colin Tizzard’s Sizing Cusimano (pair clear) at Uttoxeter over today’s 2m 7f trip.

Lingfield 2.40

Keith Dalgleish despatches a strong team on the long haul south to Lingfield and TOMMY DOCC (2.40) can upset probably favourite Fearsome. The handicapper gave Tommy Docc a break with a sizeable drop a couple of outings ago and the Scottish raider has responded by twice hitting the crossbar.

He did things the hard way at Wolverhampton only four days ago, helping force the pace before kicking for home off the home bend. Tommy Docc was only caught on the line by Sir Mark Prescott’s Isle Of Avalon and David Probert is back on board. Fearsome won a weak event over course and distance with a bit in hand and a 2lb rise if very fair.

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