Horse racing tips and best bets: Lingfield, Southwell, Kelso

There's another packed day of racing up and down the country

A general view of runners at Lingfield Park Racecourse (Getty Images)

Ibn Arabi can make a successful start in handicap company as he lines up in the Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Handicap at Lingfield.

George Scott’s charge was out of luck in three initial outings in maiden and novice company at the end of the summer and into early autumn, but a three-month break seemed to have the desired effect when he reappeared last month.

Ibn Arabi, who was also gelded during his period of inaction, made quite a splash on his return as he cantered home by six and a half lengths over six furlongs at Wolverhampton.

He may have been helped by the disappointing effort of the hot favourite that day, but there could be no arguing with the way he travelled through the race.

The handicapper had given him a mark of 73 before that run, but a 9lb hike for the victory might not prove insurmountable, as Ibn Arabi appeared to have any amount in reserve.

Ivaquestion appeared to stay two miles last time and while he was edged out in the finish, compensation awaits in the Betway Casino Handicap.

He came from a fair way back at Kempton last month and looked a likely winner as he took the lead inside the distance, only for Zarafshan to wear him down in the dying strides.

Now he knows what is required over this kind of marathon distance, Ivaquestion should soon hit the target.

Scale Force can complete a quickfire Southwell double in the £betyourway At Betway Handicap.

The five-year-old impressed with victory over the minimum trip just over two weeks ago, picking up in style two win by a cosy two and three-quarter lengths - supplementing a previous win at Wolverhampton in the process.

Scale Force is clearly on a roll and it makes sense for Gay Kelleway to turn him out again here, with the gelding 1lb well in compared to his revised mark.

Morlaix seemed to enjoy the Fibresand when opening his account last week and he can follow up in the Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap.

FRIDAY’S TIPS

DUNDALK: 4.00 Pillar, 4.30 Grandmaster Flash, 5.00 Betrayed, 5.30 Wonder Elzaam, 6.00 Spring Magic, 6.30 Neyland, 7.00 Eacharn, 7.30 Masalai.

FAKENHAM: 1.42 Blame The Game, 2.12 All Good Things, 2.42 Kap Auteuil, 3.12 Captain Morgs, 3.42 Premiumaccess, 4.15 Getting Closer, 4.45 Twistedfirestarter.

KELSO: 1.20 Rockstar Ronnie, 1.50 Protektorat, 2.20 Morningside, 2.50 Quick Wave, 3.20 Serious Ego, 3.50 Heartbreak Kid, 4.22 Carter McKay, 4.52 Release The Kraken.

LINGFIELD: 12.30 Mr Mac, 1.00 Mount Mayon, 1.30 IBN ARABI (NAP), 2.00 Big Impression, 2.30 Ivaquestion, 3.00 Arctic Sea, 3.30 Double Legend, 4.05 Ventura Kingdom.

SOUTHWELL: 5.15 Naval Officer, 5.45 Going Native, 6.15 Sugar Dumpling, 6.45 Scale Force, 7.15 Mister Freeze, 7.45 Dubai Acclaim, 8.15 Morlaix.

DOUBLE: Ibn Arabi and Protektorat.

David Simcock’s charge won an average maiden handicap in decent manner, after five previous luckless outings.

He takes a leap up in trip to 11 furlongs from a mile here, but Morlaix did not appear to be stopping last time.

It will be disappointing if Protektorat cannot return to winning form in the Cheltenham Gold At timeform.com Novices’ Chase at Kelso.

Dan Skelton’s runner was classy over hurdles and made a seamless switch to fences, winning at Carlisle in October before fairly powering home by 17 lengths at Cheltenham the following month.

There was duly plenty of confidence behind him when upped to Grade Two company at Wincanton last month, but he failed to fire and Messire Des Obeaux - a Grade One scorer over hurdles - had his measure.

Protektorat drops in class and given he has upwards of 8lb in hand of his two rivals, it will be a shock if he cannot prevail - even on ground that might not be ideal.

Quick Wave might be the one in a trappy-looking Edinburgh Gin Chase.

Venetia Williams’ charge has proven she can handle deep conditions, winning by eight lengths in similarly testing ground at Catterick.

A 7lb rise will make life harder, but Quick Wave possibly still has a bit up her sleeve on what will be her ninth chase outing.

Captain Morgs is currently a 40-1 shot for the Ballymore and if he is to line up at Cheltenham he really should be winning the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Fakenham.

Sent off favourite on each of his three starts, Captain Morgs has finished second twice, with a win sandwiched between those placed efforts.

The five-year-old cost himself a possible victory on his latest run in November though, hanging violently left in the finish and almost certainly conceding more ground than the distance he was beaten.

From a staying family, the switch up to two and a half miles here is a definite plus.

PA

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