Lingfield Preview: Saborido ready to hit the high notes

Saborido bounced back to form when runner-up last time out and can take advantage of a lenient handicap mark to go one better in the 2m contest on this evening’s card at Lingfield (6.40).

The Amanda Perrett trained gelding was in good form back in 2012 when landing a 2m contest on the turf at this venue off a rating of 75, before following-up on the all-weather surface at Kempton off 81.

Although Saborido has failed to get his head in front since, the eight-year-old has been relatively lightly raced and did run well to be placed twice last year off marks of 83 and 82.

The son of Dixie Union now races off just 75, 6lbs lower than when last successful, and that gives him major claims at the weights.

Saborido also hinted that he was ready to take advantage of the handicapper’s leniency when chasing home Mick Duggan over course and distance 20 days ago, where he stayed on well from off the pace in a slowly-run race to be beaten just 1 3/4 lengths.

The pair pulled 3 1/2 lengths clear of the third to give the form a solid look, and another plus is that Saborido is now partnered by Pat Dobbs, who rode him to his last success.

In the 5f handicap contest run on the turf (5.10), Pharoh Jake looks decent each-way value having dropped to a dangerous mark.

The John Bridger trained gelding last scored over 5f on the all-weather surface at this venue back in December 2013 off a mark of 57, and went on to finish an an excellent 1 1/4 lengths third of 10 to Random Success off a mark of 63.

Subsequent results have shown that six-year-old faced an impossible task trying to give 5lbs to the winner, who has gone on to score twice since and is now rated 80.

That is strong form in the context of this contest, and makes Pharoh Jake look weighted to go well now that he has slipped to 4lb below his last winning mark.

The other bet that appeals on a competitive but trappy card is Silken Waters in the 1m 2f handicap (7.40).