Alan Thomson’s Tips: L’Ami can be punters’ friend at Donny

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SENIOR statesman of the weighing room Davy Russell is a terrific booking for tricky L’AMI SERGE (3.15) in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster.

L'Ami Serge can race off a 7lb lower mark over fences than hurdles and ran a cracker last time in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, cruising up to Sam Spinner early in the straight before finding the doughty northern horse too strong on the run-in.There is nothing of that calibre in opposition.

CALETT MAD (2.05) has had a wind op since flopping behind On The Blind Side at Cheltenham’s big November meeting and sets a good standard in the Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle.

He was sent off a strong 7-4 favourite that day on the back of a impressive victory at Cheltenham towards the end of October and may have too many guns for the Nicky Henderson-trained Ludlow winner Indian Hawk.

WHOLESTONE (3.35) can lay down a marker for the Stayers’ Hurdle crown in March by landing the Cleeve Hurdle on Trials day at Cheltenham.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’s seven-year-old has a terrific record around Prestbury Park, winning three times last season before finishing third to Penhill in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in March.

Wholestone made an underwhelming return to action in the Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury when trailing home behind Beer Goggles but a return to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day sparked a revival as he held Agrapart quite comfortably in the Relkeel Hurdle.

SANTINI (3.00) is one of many talented young novice hurdlers at Seven Barrows and Henderson was reluctant to risk him on bottlomless ground last weekend, preferring to wait for this target.

The six-year-old was impressive on his UK debut at Newbury in early December, pulling clear of Chef Des Obeaux. The track was riding soft that day so underfoot conditions should be okay as long as there isn't a deluge.

OUR MERLIN (4.10) has been a money-making machine for Robert Walford this winter and has each-way prospects in the handicap hurdle.

The six-year-old’s winning streak came to a halt at Sandown three weeks ago but he met an above-average rival in Call Me Lord. The handicapper has notched Our Merlin up a few more pounds but he should remain competitive.

At Lingfield, I've had a decent each-way bet on DALTREY (3.45) at 7-2 as he will be very hard to keep out of the frame in the 7f maiden.

John Gosden's colt finished runner-up to Godolphin's First Contact and that one ran a cracker in defeat at Kempton last night. Third horse Completion hosed up next time at Newcastle for William Haggas and the market should inform us what is expected of the newcomers.

Recommended bets

• Doncaster 3.15 – L'Ami Serge (5-2, general)
• Doncaster 2.05 – Calett Mad ew (11-2, William Hill, McBookie, Coral, Paddy Power)
• Cheltenham 3.35 – Wholestone (100-30, McBookie, bet365, William Hill, Coral)
• Cheltenham 3.00 – Santini (4-1, general)
• Cheltenham 4.10 – Our Merlin (7-1, McBookie, Paddy Power)
• Lingfield 3.45 – Daltrey (7-2, general)

Johnb's Saturday Tips

• Cheltenham 1:15 – Mister Whitaker 7-2 paddy power
• Lingfield 2:00 – Surrey Hope 2-1 ladbrokes
• Cheltenham 2:25 – Bristol De Mai 7-4 boylesports NAP
• Cheltenham 3:35 – Finians Oscar 3-1 ladbrokes
• Doncaster 4:20 – It’s O Kay 7-4 ladbrokes

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