Timeform Radio Tip 
/ Rory Delargy / 24 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
"I’m hoping that Fehily can ride a winner for Lavelle when Claret Cloak runs in the 15:00 at Sandown."
Rory Delargy joins Tim Peters on Timeform Radio for racing at Lingfield, Warwick and Sandown, and he outlines his idea of the day's best bets below...
My favourite race of the day is undoubtedly the Kilbrittain Castle Novices Chase, mostly because it recalls the course specialist of that name who was owned by Bill Whitbread and trained by Fulke Walwyn. Kilbrittain Castle style made him a favourite with racefans and, as a youngster, I would marvel at his ability to storm up the Esher hill from unpromising positions.
One horse that will be storming up the hill today is Lancetto, a really likeable chaser who has quickly been transformed by a move from James Hartnett to Evan Williams. He beat Toubab at Cheltenham in November in game style, looking beaten as the runner-up swept to the lead, but always battling well, and overcame that rival after a much better jump at the last. Toubab was cited as the best horse in the race by most judges, and he should turn the tables on revised terms today according to conventional logic. I'm not convinced, however, and given that Toubab fell on his only subsequent start and has been on the sidelines since, it would be no surprise if he was unable to confirm those impressions. He's also been a notably weak finisher, and isn't one I'd trust with a last-fence lead.
That also applies in spades to the top-rated runner Bellvano, who was kidded home against dubious rivals at Kelso last time, and had previously curled up alarmingly when beaten at Newbury. With Lancetto boasting solid and consistent form (his third to Al Ferof and For Non Stop in the Henry VIII looks even stronger now), he looks the most likely winner of this contest. The conundrum is how to play him - for simplicity, I'll make him a straight win bet, but for those of a more adventurous disposition, he's almost certain to trade bigger in running given the flashy style of a couple of his opponents, and I can see him doing a Kilbrittain Castle and staying on past flagging rivals after the last.
News that Noel Fehily would take over as first jockey to Emma Lavelle has been well received. The promising trainer having been slightly compromised by her choice of rider in the past, but in Fehily she has a man who is acknowledged as one of the major talents in the weighing room over the last few years, but a man who hasn't had the success his skills deserve. The partnership works, as a record of 17 wins from 74 runners over jumps (and a hefty level stakes profit) testifies.
I'm hoping that Fehily can ride his first winner for Lavelle since the association was formalised when Claret Cloak runs in the 15:00 at Sandown. From the family of Decoupage, he looked a real talent when sluicing up in a strong-looking bumper at Wincanton on his debut, and hasn't been seen to best advantage in 2 runs since. I don't feel he stayed last time (the dam is sprint bred despite Claret Cloak's sire Vinnie Roe being a renowned Flat stayer), and expect him to turn over Top Of The Range now dropped back to 2m on good ground. I'd be absolutely stunned if he didn't turn out to be much the best of these in time.
Recommended Bets
Back Lancetto in the 15:35 Sandown @ [5.1] (NAP)
Back Claret Cloak in the 15:00 Sandown @ [3.75] (NB)
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