Today’s best bets, by Chris Corrigan
Andrea Atzeni is an intriguing participant at Wolverhampton this afternoon. The globe-trotting jockey has had only two rides in the UK this year, but makes it three when partnering the 3-1 shot Boom The Groom (3.45), his only booked ride of the day. Atzeni rode the sprinter to victory in a York handicap in August, the same day that the Sardinian won the Juddmonte International on Postponed. He then teamed up with Tony Carroll’s horse at Lingfield just over a fortnight ago, when they finished second.
Paul Clarke, the jockey’s agent, explained that Atzeni was happy to be reunited with Boom The Groom in today’s race, worth more than £28,000 to the winner. It is a hint that is hard to resist. Clarke said his client would be riding at Lingfield next weekend but was unlikely to be seen much in the UK until after Super Saturday in Dubai early in March.
Onderun (4.00) attempts to make amends in today’s Injured Jockeys Fund Sussex National at Lingfield, following his disappointing display when a pulled-up favourite in the Somerset National at Wincanton in mid-January. Emma Lavelle, Onderun’s trainer, said that poor outing may have been due to the horse not having fully recovered from Plumpton exertions 17 days earlier.
Lavelle also said the eight-year-old found Wincanton too sharp: “He’s a galloper, not a speedster.” She was by no means confident of victory today, but did add: “He’s run twice at Lingfield before, winning once and finishing second the other time. So we’re hopeful.” He’s 13-2.
At Carlisle, the enigmatic Beg To Differ (4.10) is a winner waiting to happen. It could be in today’s small field at odds of around 7-4, or it may be he is best suited to being tucked away in a big-field handicap at a major track and produced with a late challenge.
In the next race at Carlisle, Kenneth Slack looks to have found a good opportunity for Onwiththeparty (4.45), heading the betting at 9-2. This drop back in trip after a fourth-place finish at Sedgefield appears needed and he had previously shown solid form at Catterick and Newcastle.
Tips for all Monday’s races, by Chris Corrigan
Lingfield
1.50 Coyocan 2.20 Champagne Chaser 2.50 Clonusker 3.25 Arian 4.00 Onderun
4.35 Not Never 5.05 Dont Do Mondays
Carlisle
2.00 Catamaran Du Seuil 2.30 Lord Ballim 3.00 The Cobbler Swayne 3.35 Minella Fiveo (nb) 4.10 Beg To Differ 4.45 Onwiththeparty (nap) 5.15 Dublin Indemnity
Wolverhampton
2.10 Goldmadchen 2.40 Bush House 3.10 Dunquin 3.45 Boom The Groom 4.20 Berlios 4.55 Billyoakes 5.25 Rutherford 5.55 Jumping Jack
