FREUD has proved a revelation in recent weeks and he can keep up the good work with a third win on the bounce in the Coral Handicap at Lingfield.
The six-year-old had been pretty uninspiring since joining Ian Williams last February but he has really hit his stride this year, with an initial fourth at Chelmsford at the beginning of January swiftly followed by a cosy victory back at that track.
Saddled with a 6lb penalty, Freud was back in action just five days later when turning out at Chelmsford again last Thursday in a slightly better heat.
However, the extra weight and the rise in grade provided few issues as he saw off Mountain Rescue with the minimum of fuss by half-a-length, winning with seemingly plenty still left in the locker.
He triumphed off a mark of 76 that day but having been dropped by the handicapper ahead of his purple patch, he is able to line up off a perch of 79 here with that 3lb difference unlikely to have too much of an impact.
Williams has clearly found the key to Freud and it would be a surprise if he could not win again.
Russian Radiance is another with a couple of ones next to her name and she is the pick in the EBF Stallions/32Red Fillies’ Handicap.
Jonathan Portman’s charge scored twice at Wolverhampton in October and November and she returns here, having had a few weeks on the easy list.
She defied a 5lb hike when winning on that second occasion and while she has an extra 6lb to her name now, Russian Radiance is thriving.
Go On Go On Go On hit the target at the second time of asking before Christmas and can pick up from that with victory in the 32Red Handicap at Kempton.
The three-year-old finished second for Clive Cox on her racecourse bow at Kempton at the beginning of December before returning nearly three weeks later to go one place better.
She stayed on well that day and while the form has not worked out that well, Go On Go On Go On remains a decent prospect.
Out Sam can make the most of a drop in class by lifting the racinguk.com Novices’ Chase at Catterick.
A dual hurdles winner for Nicky Henderson last term, Out Sam has failed to hit the mark in two starts for Warren Greatrex this campaign.
Sixth over hurdles on his seasonal return, Out Sam showed slightly better form on his first attempt over fences, finishing a 12-length third in a Grade Two event at Ascot.
He should have learnt from the experience and looks the type to make up into a fine handicapper in due course.
Irish News Yankee
Nap: Freud
(3.10: Lingfield)
Double: Russian Radiance
(2.00: Lingfield)
Treble: Go On Go On Go On
(6.10: Kempton)
Yankee: Out Sam
(3.00: Catterick)
