Thomas Hodgson returns with two selections across both codes on Wednesday – a big-price handicap prospect at Lingfield and an each-way selection in a maiden hurdle at Haydock.
Lokana steps up in class in the 1m2f BetMGM Winter Oaks Trial Fillies' Handicap (13:20) at Lingfield on the back of landing a 1m handicap at Chelmsford on her all-weather debut. Given the strength of that last performance, she is taken to follow-up on Wednesday.
In terms of the sectional times, that Chelmsford run was particularly taking as she came from the rear of the field late on, posting a time of 11.50 (ATR) between the 2 and the 1-furlong pole.
A strong closing sectional time at Chelmsford implies that the ten-furlong trip will be well within her range this afternoon, and being by Waldgeist, there's no reason to believe she won't get in on paper.
David O'Meara's filly evidently took to the Polytrack surface at the first time of asking, while the application of a hood certainly seemed to bring about some improvement. She has both of those factors again in her favour this afternoon.
While she has to contend with an unfavourable draw and an odds-on favourite in Charlotte's Web, who is seeking a hat-trick at the top of the market, the 22/1 available does not seem a fair assessment of Lokana's chances here.
LOKANA – EACH WAY – 22/1
Grand Geste was strong on the clock last time out at Carlisle when going close to causing a 200/1 upset. He could be poised to go one better in the 3m Watch On Racing TV Maiden Hurdle (13:40) at Haydock on Wednesday.
On that occasion, the grey registered a top speed figure of 85 (ATR) – a statistic which places him better off than his rivals with form in the book at the top of the market in this contest. While he lacked fluency over obstacles on that occasion, Sue Smith and Joel Parkinson's charge was possibly all the more impressive for it given the amount of ground he had to make up on the flat to stay in touch with the eventual winner.
Being by Cloudings – the sire of Grand National winner Many Clouds – one might leverage a guess that the step up to 3 miles will be to his benefit. The same rules apply in terms of the heavy going at Haydock – while the 5-year-old is untested in the conditions, pedigree would imply that he will have no problem handling this ground.
It is also fascinating to note that trainer Sue Smith's (now on a dual license with Joel Parkinson) lifetime record when sending horses to Haydock returns a positive profit and loss of £42.85 to a £1 stake, which of itself makes Grande Geste's current appraisal of 10/1 seem rather generous.
GRAND GESTE – EACH WAY – 10/1
