Carlarajah makes his eagerly awaited handicap debut in the 5.35 at Lingfield today and is of serious interest at 5/1.
Michael Bell’s charge went into my notebook as one to keep on side in this sphere when not knocked about in three quick maiden runs last season.
In the first of those at Newmarket he weakend late on to finish 7th of 12 to Ajamany, and the winner has gone on to score this season off a rating of 85.
He then put in an eyey-catching effort in a hot maiden at Ascot when finishing 8th of 17 to Snow King where he tracked the leaders on the stands side before making an effort when the groups merged to from home to be beaten 7 lengths after being unable to get near the leaders.
The form of that race looks strong as Telescope finished runner-up and the fourth home Elkaayed has developed into a useful performer who has scored twice this season and was far from disgraced when 5th of 12 to Remote in the Group 3 Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out.
The selection then went on to finish a never nearer 5th of 10 to Elnadwa on his final start of 2012 at Wolverhampton, where he was once again handled with kid gloves.
He now gets into this off an opening mark of just 70, and that could well be on the lenient side given his run at Ascot and the fact that he reamains totally unexposed and looks the type who will come into his own this season.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Carlarajah (5/1 Boylesports, Hills, Paddy Power – BOG)