back-lay-trade-horses-football: 7/2

Soft ( heavy in places) ground at Lingfield puts a dampener on the beginners chase I think will go to Vino Griego . 1.17 to place, the horse is the only one under evens and if the market is any indication he must dominate, dropping in class markedly to class 5 from class 2 and class 3 novice chases.
I hate the word " heavy" in any ground desriptions and will not be betting today. It is a poor day all in all. The 505 Wolves is a great probability race with 3 places still on Betfair despite 7 runners but it is a poor seller.

***** ONE A DAY - no bet, simply put off by the soft ( heavy in places) .I expect Vino Griego to place with his chase experience but only 2 places and he has not run on soft recently *****
Yesterday all the teams performed as their odds suggest, with Groningen emphatic.

4pm - OFI v Ionikos - 1.29 home - Greek 2nd division is hardly top of my list of leagues I want to bet in.

205 LINGFIELD

BETTING FORECAST: 4/9 Vino Griego, 9/2 Spear Thistle, 11/2 General Kutuzov, 16/1 Sweet Seville, 16/1 Upham Atom, 50/1 Medellin, 66/1 Fillyofthevalley.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: VINO GRIEGO's recent placed form in novice handicaps has come in much better races than this and he really should win with something to spare, albeit at skinny odds. General Kutuzov is preferred to Spear Thistle for forecast seekers.[Mel Cullinan]

Only 3 under 20/1 here and Vino Griego has hardened at the head of the betting. I have been discussing recently the idea of the value each way alternative when we have a race similar to this. The only problem is that there are only 2 places on offer, but the each way alternatives are obviously Spear Thistle and General Kutuzov

This is a beginners chase and the L plates are on . Further, soft ground at Lingfield may point to some potential problems if it gets heavier.

235 LINGFIELD

BETTING FORECAST: Evs Not Til Monday, 6/4 Cresswell Crusader, 13/2 Cuckoo Pen, 12/1 Spiritual Art, 40/1 Justalittlebitmore, 40/1 Taylors Secret, 50/1 Easter Lad.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Not Til Monday will do for many after winning easily in a Plumpton novice last time but the concession of 12lb - including Rachael Green's 5lb allowance - will be tough if CRESSWELL CRUSADER can show anything approximating his bumper form first time out over hurdles.[Mel Cullinan]

Another 7 runner race and more novices only this time over hurdles. 4 under 66/1 should fight out for 2 places on offer. It is a mystery to me how Spotlight can equate bumper form with hurdles. Bumpers are simply flat races, nothing more, nothing less so you cannot really gauge how a horse will jump hurdles based on a flat race!!

Ideally should be 3 for 2 places here

330 WOLVES

BETTING FORECAST: 4/5 Orpenindeed, 9/2 Unlimited, 12/1 Silver Wind, 14/1 Bellomi, 25/1 St Ignatius, 100/1 Champagne All Day, 100/1 Mon Mon.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: ORPENINDEED has been pretty reliable in low grade for previous trainers and is clear pick at the weights, though The Big Haerth and Unlimited are credible threats.[Paul Johnson]

7 runners and still 3 places on Betfair. But dare we trust horses in sellers?

Only 4 under 25/1 , orpenindeed is 4/9 and Unlimited at 7/2 is nearest rival. The latter is a tasty 1.3 to place but I remind you that these horses are in sellers not because they are future Epsom Derby hopes.

505 WOLVES

BETTING FORECAST: 4/5 Shamardal Phantom, 11/4 Christmas Coming, 11/1 Arco Felice, 12/1 Cloudy Bay, 12/1 Hide The Evidence, 12/1 Pride Of Mine, 50/1 Better Be Blue, 66/1 Charlie´s Boy.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Such are the apparent limitations of the opposition that SHAMARDAL PHANTOM is taken to secure that vital win to boost her paddocks value even though her stamina is by no means guaranteed on pedigree. Christmas Comingdisappointed on his return to the fray but still looks the one beat.[Paul Johnson]

These should be the ideal place only races - 8 runners - 3 places and only 4 under 20/1 A maiden race, Shamardal Phantom has the form to place again. Sharp step up in trip from 9 furlongs to 12 furlongs. That is almost like entering a different kind of race!