3 minute read

Sam King returns with two selections for you on Wednesday…

We head to Bangor for our first selection, and although perhaps not the force of old, Shan Blue remains of serious interest in the Portek Limited Handicap Chase (1.25).

The Skelton team has kicked off their 2024 campaign in fine style and will certainly have the ten-year-old fit enough to do himself justice on his reappearance.

You only have to go back to October 2021 to see he was going to demolish his rivals in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase but for taking a heavy fall three from home. There's no doubt he's unlikely ever to scale those heights again, but he shouldn't need to in order to land a contest like the one he faces this afternoon.

He put up a fine effort in defeat when third behind the improving staying chaser Threeunderthrufive in a Class 1 handicap chase at Ascot in February, leaving the impression there was plenty of life in him off a mark of 142.

This represents a sizeable drop in grade for his seasonal reappearance and with the yard in flying form and ground to suit, he can land the spoils.

WIN -Shan Blue

Odds – 5/2

Lingfield and Southwell host competitive all-weather action on Wednesday afternoon with some interesting novice events at the former.

Charlie Appleby sends a pair of useful-looking contenders to the Surrey venue and although the Newmarket powerhouse trainer might not be firing on all cylinders at present, Charming Life still looks to hold outstanding claims in the BetMGM: It's Showtime/EBG Novice Stakes (1.05).

Considering Ralph Beckett can do no wrong with his juveniles this season, both Cape Breton and Lady Vivian require respect. However, the former has failed to live up to his market expectations on both outings on turf and the latter, a nicely-bred newcomer, may need more time and a further trip to show what she's capable of.

With that in mind, Charming Life could take some stopping from stall four. Charlie Appleby's gelding raced away from the action when fourth on debut over seven furlongs at Newmarket twelve days ago and arguably shaped much better than the bare result.

Stepping up to a mile should bring out some improvement and in a race that might not take all that much winning, this son of Dubawi is a confident selection to strike second-time-out.

WIN – Charming Life

Odds – 5/4