Lingfield preview: Thomas to Blossom under Baker

David Metcalf | January 20, 2016

Thomas Blossom can take advantage of a drop in class to land the 1m 5f handicap on today’s card at Lingfield (14.10) now partnered by George Baker for the first time.

The gelding was in terrific form last year when winning three times for trainer Pat Chammings, with the last of those successes coming in a class 5 contest at this venue.

After being held-up off the pace in a slowly run race, Thomas Blossom showed a smart turn of foot to get up close home and score by a head off a mark of 60.

The six-year-old backed that up with a solid third in a class 4 contest at Wolverhampton off a revised rating of 68, and is now able to race in this lower grade class 6 affair off 65.

It gives Thomas Blossom every chance at the weights on the pick of his form, and he comes into the race having shaped as if needing the outing when fifth at Wolverhampton last month on his first start for Ali Brewer.

That was the son of Dylan Thomas’s first run after a break and should have blown away the cobwebs and put Thomas Blosson spot on for this.

The booking of Baker is another plus, as he is terrific on hold-up horses and the ideal partner to deliver Thomas Blossom with a telling late run.

Gabrial The Thug worth a punt

In the 1m handicap (15.20), Gabrial The Thug can go well at a big price having dropped to a handy mark.