Talking Horses

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2013/jan/19/talking-horses-horse-racing-blog

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There are many days' racing on the Polytrack at Lingfield which, had the spotlight landed on them unexpectedly through the loss of all turf racing, would prove a very poor substitute indeed. But there are at least a couple of halfway respectable prizes and some interesting contests due to be staged there today, so long as the weather is a little brighter than yesterday.

<strong>Connections of Anaconda (3.10)</strong> apparently hoped for something a bit better than this, too. He had his first two races as a juvenile at Deauville, the second in a Listed race, and when they sent him to this track last month, it was reportedly part of a plan to get him invited to the Dubai Carnival, which is now underway.

He undermined those aspirations by being beaten half a length but that still counts as a highly respectable effort on his first outing in nine months, following treatment for bone chips in a knee. Anaconda proved rather fresh but should be more professional here, with some of the air now out of his tyres, and he appeals as a horse on an upward curve.

Of course, he will need to be, having been raised half a stone for that effort. But there are a few likely front-runners in this field and he may be able to get a nice run behind them. Loyalty is unlikely to be able to dictate a steady pace from the front, as he has done here successfully in his last two runs.

<strong>Kempton 1.45</strong> A winner here three times from six visits, Zing Wing hasn't been seen for three months but comes from the bang in-form David Evans stable.

<strong>Lingfield 2.00</strong> Once third in a Group Three as a juvenile in France, Khawatim was rated 95 when he first came to Britain but a series of woeful efforts sent his mark tumbling to 71. On his fifth run since joining Noel Quinlan, he finally turned things around a fortnight ago, forcing his head in front near the line at Wolverhampton after being heavily backed. He's been raised 4lb but has plenty more to give, though market weakness would be a concern.

<strong>Kempton 2.20</strong> Three times a winner at Brighton last summer, Toga Tiger was unfancied for his first start since July when scoring at Wolverhampton recently. He'll be even better for this return to a mile.

<strong>Lingfield 2.35</strong> Twice a winner over this course and distance, most recently from a mark just 4lb below the one he has today, Proper Charlie ran as though needing the outing when sent here shortly before New Year. That was his first start for almost four months and he can do better this time.

<strong>Kempton 2.55</strong> A frustrating sort last year, Fluctuate has a chance to start making amends in this company with first-time blinkers on.

<strong>Kempton 3.30</strong> This is one of those races which make you think nothing might win but Welsh Inlet scored here last month and has run well in two starts at Lingfield since then.