3:30 – Lingfield – INOX KITCHENS TO DINE FOR HANDICAP (CLASS 5) (4yo+ 0-75) Good To Firm 2m
Last time out winner Dr Finley has now won twice from 19 starts on the flat turf and runs off just a 3lb higher handicap mark for his win at Thirsk 17 days ago. He is in good form at the moment as he also finished 2nd by just ½ length at Newcastle on his previous start. There are grounds for optimism that he will do well again today as he was only a head short of following up his only other win by a neck at Folkestone last August when he was beaten into 2nd over today’s trip.
Dr Finley appears to enjoy running in the high summer as in 4 starts in August he has won once and been placed twice. The going at Lingfield is currently riding Good to Firm, Good in places on the round course and the 5 year old chestnut gelding has decent form in both going conditions. He has won once and been placed four times in Good to Firm ground and has also won once and been placed twice in five runs in Good ground.
He runs over what is his best trip this afternoon. Dr Finley has run 6 times over 2 miles on the flat turf and has won twice and been placed second on three other occasions. Tom McLaughlin is riding him for the first time this afternoon but he is a regular rider for trainer Malcolm Saunders.
Dr Finley is clearly in decent form at the moment and off a mark just 3lbs higher that his last winning mark looks to have decent claims. He appears to enjoy running at this time of the year and with underfoot conditions in his favour over his best trip he should not be far away today.
