Simon Mapletoft – Weekend Review & Mid-Week Selections

What a remarkable filly LAMAR is. James Tate’s four-year-old produced a top notch performance to beat a quality field in last Friday’s Fast Track Qualifier at Wolverhampton for the Fillies’ and Mares’ Final – her second golden ticket of the season so far following success in the Listed Fleur De Lys Stakes at Lingfield at the end of October.

Champion jockey Luke Morris was at his brilliant best on the daughter of Cape Cross, who had to work hard to maintain her advantage over a trip short of her best. She dug deep to repel the fast-finishing Kyllachy Queen, with South African Graded winner Cold As Ice travelling well but disappointing back in fourth. A date in the paddocks beckons for Lamar but I hope she will remain in training to take her chance on Good Friday in a race she finished an unlucky second in last season.

Tiger set to roar at Lingfield

Doncaster trainer David Griffiths has enjoyed high-level success with yard flagbearer Take Cover but has set his sights on more big prizes with stable companion BROTHER TIGER, who looks the one to beat in the feature sprint at Lingfield on Wednesday (2.00).

This triple course and distance winner couldn’t arrive in better form for the five-furlong dash, having finished well in second to classy veteran Medicean Man at Chelmsford City last time when stumbling at the start. Prior to that the son of Singspiel posted another rock solid performance behind the useful Doctor Sardonicus despite being drawn wide in stall 10. Drawn well in two this time, he returns off an unchanged mark.

Godolphin gelding looks progressive

Patience has been a virtue as far as OCEANOGRAPHER is concerned. Trainer Charlie Appleby had him gelded after a disappointing run in the spring and would have been thrilled with the manner of his comeback win over 10 furlongs at Chelmsford City last month.

The lightly raced, unexposed son of Sea The Stars steps up a furlong at Kempton on Thursday (6.10) and can defy a justified 14lb rise under the excellent Adam Kirby. Appleby has done well with similar staying types such as Anglophile and Gold Trail and it would be no surprise to see this fellow tackle longer trips in due course. He may have the most to fear from Barye, a powerful galloper who showed last season that he can be competitive off his current mark and makes his debut for Richard Hughes.

Meehan sprinter ready to strike

Brian Meehan’s sprinter NEWTON’S LAW overcame a poor draw to finish well at Lingfield last time and looks ready to make his presence felt in the 4.40 at Kempton on Wednesday. The four-year-old was eased in the ratings for finishing an eyecatching fifth at the Surrey track and is now only 2lb higher than when successful at Newmarket back in the summer.

A hold-up performer, he shouldn’t be troubled by his draw in stall eight and, assuming he gets away on terms, looks to have the beating once again of Newmarket runner-up Sandfrankskipsgo – a leading contender under the newly married George Baker.

Best Bets:
Brother Tiger (Nap)
2.00 Lingfield (Wednesday)

Newton’s Law (ew)
4.40 Kempton (Wednesday)

Oceanographer
6.10 Kempton (Thursday)