2:50 – Anightinlambourn 9/2 (5/1 available with Bet365)
A lightly raced mare, she looks ready to strike off a mark of 103.
Having shown a fair level of form in bumpers, including when 3rd on debut behind the useful Printing Dollars, Anightinlambourn was sent over hurdles last season.
She was pitched in at the deep end on her first start in a race won by the 139-rated, West Cork. She was 80/1 that day and finished well beaten in 9th, but the stable were going through a barren spell at the time of her debut over hurdles so I wouldn’t read much into that effort.
Her next run was more encouraging, finishing 4th at Wetherby over 2 miles, shaping like she needed a step up in trip. The front three that day are now rated 128, 124 and 114 respectively while the 5th is rated 124. On that run, a mark of 103 for Anightinlambourn looks exploitable.
She continued her profession when 2nd at Sedgefield over 2m4f under today’s jockey, Tom Bellamy. At First Glance, who was 7 lengths behind Anightinlambourn that day off level weights, reopposes here yet is rated 1lb higher.
There was plenty of encouragement to be taken from her seasonal reappearance, when she raced in a class 2 handicap against in form and race fit rivals. Despite that, she travelled well for a long way before tiring late on. Mustang Alpha has gone on to advertise that form well.
It’s also worth noting that Ben Pauling wasn’t in great form when she made her reappearance. In the two weeks prior to her run on the 21st October, he only had 2 placed from 18 runners.
However, the yard are going well now. Since the 5th November, they’ve had 4 winners and 3 placed from 18 runners.
Southwell has been a good track for the yard; they have an 18% S/R in handicap hurdles here (P/L: +£37.08 to a £1 stake at BFSP, A/E 1.24)
This race is significantly less competitive and it would be disappointing if she can’t go close in this company. Anightinlambourn’s jumping has improved with each start and she looks a much more settled horse now.
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