Alan Thomson’s Tips: Unwrap an Easter Gift

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THERE is some terrific Good Friday action to whet the appetite for the new Flat season and GIFTED MASTER (3.05) should take some catching in the Betway All-weather Sprint Championship at Lingfield.

Hugo Palmer’s gelding showed a blistering turn of early pace to overcome a poor draw in stall 12 on his previous visit to the track, tucking in behind the tearaway leader, before coming home a comfortable winner under today’s jockey James Doyle.

Gifted Master’s only defeat in his last four outings came in a Group 2 at Newmarket won by Limato. That came over 7f and Gifted Master had the speed to lead for more than five furlongs in hot company. Stall 3 is perfect.

RED VERDON (2.00) has to prove his stamina in the 2m Betway Marathon but his turn of foot could prove decisive.

Ed Dunlop’s five-year-old landed a Listed event at Kempton over his normal trip of 1m 4f and also a similar event at Lingfield over the same distance. He wasn’t stopping on either occasion and may well prove a natural over two miles.

Watersmeet, runner-up in this event last year, will almost certainly wind-up the pace from the front and is a credit to Mark Johnston.

Only a neck separated Watersmeet and French stayer Funny Kid at Wolverhampton in mid-January and the Gallic raider has been kept fresh.

ARCANADA (4.10) should give us a very good run for our money in the Mile.

Tom Dascombe’s gelding has yet to taste defeat at Lingfield and he also holds a verdict over the disqualified Winter Derby ‘winner’ Mr Owen at Wolverhampton. Arcanada likes to race prominently which is a bonus as it could be a rough race.

Second Thought, winner of the 3-y-o Final 12 months ago is an obvious danger if able to secure a clear run from stall one.

William Haggas has earmarked this tasty prize for his colt since giving Summer Icon 8lb and a beating at Wolverhampton. That win came over 7f but he has scored over a mile at Kempton. He has a tendency to race slugglishly in the early part of his races and that could mean trouble if trapped on the fence on the home bend.

There is some excellent racing at Bath and Newcastle, with plenty of open betting events.

At Newcastle, INSURPLUS (2.45) catches the eye in the 7f handicap.

It is always a positive sign when Jim Goldie books Danny Tudhope and the jockey has been on top for both Insurplus’s victories, at Redcar and over this course and distance.

The five-year-old had a lovely pipe-opener back from a break here 17 days ago and the handicapper has played ball by dropping him 2lb. Insurplus is usually held up for a late run.

Similar tactics will be employed on ORIENTAL LILY (1.40) in the Betway Sprint Handicap.

The filly has enjoyed a very productive winter at Newcastle but her winning sequence was brought to a halt over 6f here last time. Oriental Lily is probably best served by a fast-run five furlongs, which she is likely to get today.

Regular pilot Phil Dennis takes off 3lb and he will need some luck in running weaving his way through the pack. Lord Of The Glen runs in the same colours and also goes well at Gosforth Park.

The 1m 4f handicap is a cracker, with many in with a shout. STARGAZER (3.20) returned from a lengthy 563-day absence to split American Gigolo and Dubawi Fifty over 2m but had good form at this distance for previous handler Sir Michael Stoute.

Stargazer was sent off favourite for a valuable Ascot handicap in September 2016 won by New Caledonia but was denied a clear run in finishing fifth. He has since joined Phil Kirby and as long as the dreaded ‘bounce factor’ doesn’t rear its ugly head on his second run back then Stargazer could surprise a few better fancied rivals.

At Bath, CHAMPAGNE CHAMP (4.35) and Moabit lock horns again in the 1m 5f handicap.

They met last October at Salisbury (soft) and Moabit beat my selection just over four lengths after poaching a big lead off the home bend. Champagne Champ finds himself 13lb better off and both horses arrive here fit from a hurdles campaign. Moabit faded a little disappointingly in defeat at Newbury last Friday, while Champagne Champ may have found 2m 5f just too far at Kempton.

TONY CURTIS (4.00) has been off the track since August but boasts a rock-solid piece of form which, if replicated, will see him land the mile handicap.

His second to Master The World in the Betfred Mile at Glorious Goodwood on soft ground is top drawer and it is encouraging that his trainer Richard Hannon landed this prize 12 months ago with Oh This Is Us.

Recommended bets

• Lingfield 3.05 – Gifted Master (4-1, Ladbrokes)
• Lingfield 2.00 – Red Verdon (7-2, Paddy Power)
• Lingfield 4.10 – Arcanada (3-1, general)
• Newcastle 2.45 – Insurplus ew (13-2, Paddy Power)
• Newcastle 1.40 – Oriental Lily ew (13-2, bet365)
• Newcastle 3.20 – Stargazer ew (10-1, general)
• Bath 4.00 – Tony Curtis (5-2, general)
• Bath 4.35 – Champagne Champ ew (8-1, Paddy Power)

Johnb's Friday Tips

• Newcastle 2:45 – Outside Inside 5-1 bet365 NB
• Bath 3:30 – Quench Dolly 9-4 paddy power NAP

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