TurfTalk - Badri on the ball and likely to score at Lingfield

Charlie Hills’ colt struck at his third attempt in a novice event over a furlong shorter than this trip at the same course last month.

That convincing success came in a first-time tongue tie, which is retained, and Badri has fine prospects of doubling up on his handicap debut. He starts out in this sphere off a rating of 80, and there is every reason on the basis of his achievements so far that he will be able to handle and soon exceed this company. Badri beat an odds-on favourite, and consistent benchmark, into third last time – and has appeared to be crying out for this slight step up in trip. He will need to consolidate his current rate of improvement, but faces nothing with the same upward profile among his seven rivals.

Estrela Star is highly likely to continue his rapid progress in the opening Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap. Ali Stronge’s gelding finished full of running, and evidently pretty pleased with himself, when he bagged his second win in a week at Chelmsford’s extra meeting on Tuesday. The Berkshire trainer is happy to send him to the races again, just three days later, and Estrela Star can make light of the double penalty against largely exposed opposition and bring up the swift hat-trick after hitting such a rich vein of form.

Makram looked a winner in waiting as runner-up on his racecourse debut at Kempton early last month.

Slowly away, he finished with a flourish and attracted all the right comments from those paid to observe.

Roger Charlton has allowed 41 days for the experience to sink in, and Makram should be ready to prove he has learned how to win in the Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Novice Stakes.

Saint De Vassy is still a maiden but may well be able to break his duck in the ‘Ubique’ Handicap Chase at Sandown.

Tom Symonds’ lightly-raced seven-year-old looked a chaser in the making all last season – and after a blip on his first attempt in this sphere at Chepstow, he was much better when dropped back to two miles at Hereford last time.

He could never quite get to grips with the front-running winner but kept on well enough in second to suggest another opportunity at the minimum distance - especially on this much stiffer course – is very much worthwhile.

Saint De Vassy was a gradual improver over hurdles, and really should be able to win off this mark and higher as a chaser.

Faire Part Sivola has already scored twice in just four Rules starts, and could be about to make it three from five in the Betway ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Nick Williams’ five-year-old was an instant success in a Wincanton bumper 12 months ago – and, after failing to follow up in that sphere but still running with credit, he returned to prevail again from a subsequent winner first time out over hurdles at Leicester last month.

Faire Part Sivola was again unable to add a second victory, but only by a head this time behind another who has won since, and his form stacks up well at this level.

Alminar receives weight from all his rivals in the Alanbrooke Handicap Chase, and should go well for a stable which is on an upward curve this season.

At Fakenham, Paul Nicholls’ exciting front-runner Greaneteen can complete his hat-trick and stay unbeaten over fences in the Racing To School Riders’ Programme Novices’ Chase as he tunes up for higher-profile spring targets ahead.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

FAKENHAM: 1.40 Ted Bach, 2.10 Greaneteen, 2.45 Fix Sun, 3.20 Senior Citizen, 3.50 Dundrum Wood, 4.20 Haymount, 4.50 Fivetotwelve.

LINGFIELD: 2.00 Estrela Star (next best), 2.35 Plantadream, 3.10 BADRI (NAP), 3.40 Makram (treble), 4.10 Blowing Dixie, 4.40 Enmeshing.

SANDOWN: 1.20 Hit The Rocks, 1.50 Saint De Vassy, 2.25 Cill Anna, 3.00 Ozzy Thomas, 3.30 Faire Part Sivola, 4.00 Alminar, 4.30 Iconic Muddle.

SOUTHWELL: 5.10 Double Reflection, 5.45 Palazzo, 6.15 Sur Mer, 6.45 Sandridge Lad, 7.15 Cold Harbour, 7.45 Royal Big Night, 8.15 The Retriever.