Mattoral takes a drop in class in the 2.30 at Lingfield and looks an each-way steal at 7/1.
Peter Makin’s charge disappointed last time out at Sandown when heavily supported but has form in the book which gives him a major chance in this line-up.
The colt showed plenty of promise in three runs as a juvenile, finishing runner-up to subsequent Britannia winner Sagramor at Kempton on his second start before coming good at the third time os asking when beating Copper Canyon by a head at Wolverhampton.
He looked the type that would do well in handicaps as a three-year-old, but has so far failed to get his head in front.
However he has run in some decent races, finishing 8th of 13 to Communicator in a class 4 event at York’s Dante meeting and more recently an excellent third to Stand To Reason at sandnown two outings ago in the same grade.
He was beaten only 1 1/4 lengths in the latter, where he stayed on well after doing the donkey work and chasing the clear leader for much of the mile journey.
That run came off a mark of 72, and he is now down to a mark of 71 having started life in handicaps on 77.
Given that he is now dropping down to class 5 company that gives him an excellent chance from a handicapping perspective.
Today’s race is the easiest assignment he has had for some time, and at 7/1 he looks a great each-way play.
Recommended bet: 3pts each-way Mattoral (7/1 bet65, Hills, Victor Chandler – BOG)