Blue Wave and Rebellious Guest to strike at Lingfield

With the miserable weather threatening to wash away the jump racing action, attention turns to the all-weather racing at Lingfield on Saturday. The feature race is the Ladbrokes Handicap at 2.55 in which George Margarson’s Rebellious Guest bids to defy a penalty for his recent course and distance win.

The gelding has been disappointing since winning twice as a two-year-old in 2011 and recorded his first victory since when winning here last week. He was settled in the rear by Jamie Spencer before moving through the field and striking down the outside in the home straight.

He eventually came home two and a quarter lengths clear of Emkanaat. The handicapper has put him up to 86 but he was rated 99 in his younger days and is set to race off bottom weight.

Tom Queally takes over in the saddle with Spencer riding David Simcock’s Wolverhampton winner Apostle. The grey only held on by a nose that day and is up another 4lbs here. He is also yet to win beyond seven furlongs and may struggle to get home.

The coral.co.uk Handicap at 3.30 looks booked for Mark Johnston’s Blue Wave who is seeking a hat-trick after comfortable victories here and at Southwell. The four-year-old is up 10lbs for his four length win last time but he is only now starting to fulfil his potential.

Formerly owned by Godolphin, the son of Raven’s Pass has some decent form on the turf including a head second to Van Percy in a valuable handicap at Haydock. He could develop into a decent stayer in the spring and will be hard to beat on Saturday.

Gay Kelleway had a winner at Cagnes-Sur-Mer on Thursday and saddles the main danger here in Swing Alone. He stayed on strongly to win over a mile and a quarter here last time and the extra distance should suit the son of Celtic Swing.

The action gets under way at 12.10 with an eight-race card concluding with a seven-furlong apprentice handicap at 4.05.