LION'S SHARE OF CHELMSFORD PRIZE BOOKED FOR VARIAN RUNNER

By Anita Chambers, PA

Lion’s House should take all the beating in the Betfair Exchange Handicap at Chelmsford on Thursday.

Trained by Roger Varian, the three-year-old won each of his two juvenile starts last term, with five subsequent winners emerging from those in behind in his victory at Newcastle.

The form of his second triumph has not worked out quite so well, but there was much to like about both performances before an extended spell off the track.

Returning to action after a 301-day absence, Lion’s House was a bit slowly away at Wolverhampton just under two weeks ago and was not beaten far in sixth, perhaps just needing the outing to get him back on top form.

Dropped 1lb by the handicapper for that three-and-a-half-length defeat, he makes plenty of appeal with that run under his belt.

Devil’s Advocate shaped with promise on debut and can build on that in the CCR ‘Confined’ Maiden Stakes.

He was putting in his best work at the finish in a Newmarket maiden last month, staying on all the way from a fair way back to be beaten just over three lengths by the well-regarded Seacruiser.

Stepping up to 10 furlongs, John and Thady Gosden’s inmate should relish the extra distance.

Stablemate Shaha also has obvious claims in the Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 519 Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Southwell.

She had her first taste of racecourse action at Ascot in May, finishing just a head behind subsequent Listed winner Diamond Rain, with the third, fourth, fifth and sixth all previous or future winners.

Off the track since then, Shaha will have to overcome the absence but could be the class act in the field.

Fiscal Policy has been running consistently over the last couple of months and another decent performance is on the cards in the At The Races App Form Study Handicap.

Beaten three lengths in fifth on her most recent outing at this venue, she endured a troubled passage and is surely capable of better.

Woodland Park sets out over obstacles in the second division of the Whitehall Turret Club Novices’ Hurdle at Carlisle.

Third on his initial bumper runner, he made short work of his Market Rasen rivals in April when powering home by eight and a half lengths.

Wreckless Eric takes the eye in Wincanton’s Fitzdares Handicap Hurdle.

He won two of his three hurdles runs when trained by Ben Pauling last season and a mark of 115 looks a fair starting point as he has his first start for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

CARLISLE: Race 1: 14.22 Knomorediamonds, Race 2: 14.57 Joshua Des Flos, Race 3: 15.32
Lola Blue, Race 4: 16.07 Woodland Park, Race 5: 16.42 Inis Oirr, Race 6: 17.15 Beny Nahar
Road, Race 7: 17.50 Five Dollar Fine, Race 8: 18.22 Blue Carpet.

BRIGHTON: Race 1: 14.30 Tommytwohoots, Race 2: 15.05 Pickering Castle, Race 3: 15.40 Sol
Argent, Race 4: 16.15 Darvel, Race 5: 16.50 Fighting Poet, Race 6: 17.20 Rogue Rosie, Race 7:
17.55 Tomorrow Day.

WINCANTON: Race 1: 14.43 Celtic Dino, Race 2: 15.18 Musique De Fee, Race 3: 15.53
Stratagem, Race 4: 16.28 Far Sight, Race 5: 17.03 Hillsin, Race 6: 17.40 Wreckless Eric, Race
7: 18.15 Ballynaheer.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 17.25 Shaha, Race 2: 18.00 Vadamiah, Race 3: 18.30 Chiringita, Race 4:
19.00 Thamna, Race 5: 19.30 Fiscal Policy, Race 6: 20.00 Persuasion, Race 7: 20.30
Embarked, Race 8: 21.00 Kitsune Power, Race 9: 21.30 Caramay.

CHELMSFORD: Race 1: 17.35 Devil's Advocate, Race 2: 18.10 Gone Rogue, Race 3: 18.45
Charlatan, Race 4: 19.15 Profitman, Race 5: 19.45 How Impressive, Race 6: 20.15 Drouthy
Neebor, Race 7: 20.45 LION'S HOUSE (NAP), Race 8: 21.15 Pop Dancer.

ALL TO COME: Shaha (Southwell, Race 1) and Lion's House (Chelmsford, Race 7)

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com