The weather has taken its toll on the Flat turf scene in the UK and Ireland on Wednesday, but there are still four meetings, three on the all-weather and one over jumps.
First off is Lingfield before they go at Fakenham, Dundalk and Kempton in the evening.
Amongst our Wednesday fancies is one for trainer Lucy Wadham, who has her string in fantastic form and boasts a 33% strike rate in the last fortnight.
14:45 Fakenham – Brandisova @ 11/10
You can’t go wrong following course form at Fakenham and the tight circuit seems to suit Brandisova, who has recorded both of her career victories at the Norfolk track.
The seven-year-old was successful over hurdles in February and has made a seamless return to chasing on her last two starts. She was an easy winner over course and distance in March and ran well again when second off this 4lb higher mark at Huntingdon next time out.
Brandisova appeared to jump left at several of her fences on that occasion under Brian Hughes and she did well to finish only three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner Head And Heart. The third home, Methodtothemagic, franked the form by winning since.
The return to a left-handed track looks certain to suit the selection and Bryony Frost, who partnered Brandisova to both wins at this course, is a positive taking over in the saddle.
18:45 Kempton – Buccabay @ 10/3
The surface is described as standard to slow at Kempton tonight and it is often difficult to make up ground from the back when the Polytrack is riding on the slow side. It’s therefore worth concentrating on front-runners and Buccabay should make a bold bid off the lead.
The three-year-old was an easy winner at Bath in September and nearly followed up over course and distance last time. He jumped out in front before being headed after a furlong and couldn’t peg back the 50/1 winner Clearpoint in a race dominated by the front-runners.
This event could develop in a similar manner and Buccabay has a good draw in stall six from which to take a prominent early position. That could be key given the way the track is riding.
A 1lb rise in the weights will make life difficult for Buccabay and this is a stronger race, but he looks to be going forward at the right time and is capable of making the progress needed.
20:15 Kempton – Clownsman @ 9/1
The sprint handicap that ends the card could also be dominated by those ridden prominently and Clownsman employs those tactics. He appears to be coming back to form after a long break from April through to July and looks ready to peak on his return to the all-weather.
Clownsman has improved his Racing Post Rating with all three runs since coming back from his absence and caught the eye when fourth at Bath last time. That was his first turf start for the best part of two years and he tired only late up the stiff finish after holding every chance.
The majority of his best runs have come on sand, including his career-best RPR which was recorded when third in a course-and-distance handicap in October 2021. He is evidently well suited by the track and goes well at this time of year, so can cash in on his fall in the weights.
