You can never be sure in advance how a horse will cope with really fast going, which is what they'll be racing on at Brighton today, and that would be the main worry for Gingham (4.00). Still, she's the only one in this field to have shown real promise and is still progressing. Luca Cumani's three-year-old probably should have won off 73 on her handicap debut last time but should do better after that experience and that would be enough in this maiden. She's a shade under 6-4, but I thought she might be odds-on.
Time For Old Time (2.30) in the opening claimer is another lightly raced, progressive filly who should be able to take advantage of weak opposition to score by the sea. Unpromisingly, she had her first run in a Windsor seller and was sent off at 16-1 but she finished strongly to be a never-nearer fourth. Trainer Ian Wood has disappeared off the radar in recent years and this horse will not be helping him back onto it but she looks good enough to show up three rivals who have already got their connections fearing the worst.
And so to Lingfield, where every finish comes with guaranteed heartbreak, at no extra cost. Whiskey Junction is a strong favourite to make it four in a row but he's been doing his winning elsewhere and we all know what awaits front-runners at Lingfield. Yes, heartbreak. No need to labour the point. Of course, heartbreak also awaits the hold-up horses too, which is what makes this place so special, but it's much easier to take a reverse like that at 12-1 than at 9-4, so Pha Mai Blue (8.00) is the suggestion.
A double-figure price seems a mistake about a horse who won over this course and distance on his most recent visit last month and is just 2lb higher now. That was no fluke - he had previously been beaten less than a length in a maiden round here, so I'm prepared to overlook his moderate form elsewhere and say that this strong finisher has every chance of running down Whiskey Junction close home.
2.35pm Time For Old Time wins at 4-1
She showed a bit of speed there, raced prominently and battled at the end. Nice for Ian Wood to get a winner but he might be struggling to hold onto this one now.
4.30pm Poor old Gingham
Luca Cumani's filly was fighting for the lead when breaking down at Brighton - I just hope she's alright. The race was won by John Gosden's 16-1 shot Zuwaar.
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