Sam King returns with two selections on Monday…
With heavy rain in the Wales area, Ffos Las has been forced to abandon this morning, leaving just Plumpton and Wolverhampton racing in Britain on Monday.
Plumpton looks like a relatively uncompetitive card and with that in mind, it could prove best to concentrate on the all-weather action from Dunstall Park, which is restricted to riders who have ridden 30 or fewer winners in flat races in Britain.
The Weekly Free Bets With BetUK Handicap at 8.00 looks particularly interesting with plenty of firms paying four places. Lucky Man catches the eye now back on the all-weather with the experienced George Wood in the saddle and he looks worth chancing each-way at general odds of 14/1.
A winner off just 2lb lower over six furlongs at Windsor in August, Richard Spencer's gelding has gone on to finish eighth in competitive handicaps at Ayr (Silver Cup) and Newcastle. The latter effort came over the minimum trip and following a significant bump coming out of the stalls, he realistically lost all chance of winning from the outset.
Stepping back up to six furlongs on the Tapeta will suit, and with pieces of form off marks in the mid-90s last season, it's fair to say this current rating of 82 shouldn't be insurmountable.
Each-way – Lucky Man
Odds – 12/1
Earlier on the card, Guiteau looks like the one to side with in the Win 1M With BetMGM's Golden Goals Handicap at 5.00.
With two winners from his last five runners across the last two weeks, there's no doubt that Dominic Ffrench Davis, who is clearly being selective with the horses he is running at this time of year, arrives a man in good form.
Although recent results don't look all that appealing, the gelded son of James Garfield shaped much better than the bare figures when fourth of five at Chelmsford last month. Pestered throughout off the front, you could have excused Guiteau for folding tamely that day, but once headed, he stuck to his task nicely and was only beaten three-and-three-quarter lengths at the finish.
A 2lb drop in the weights puts him off 1lb lower than when bolting up at Epsom on his seasonal reappearance in July and if the experienced John Egan can work his way into a prominent position from stall ten this evening, I could see him posting an excellent effort off a more than workable mark.
Each-way – Guiteau
Odds – 15/2