Today’s Horse Racing Tip – 5:30 Lingfield 3 April

Today’s horse racing tip runs in the Racing Welfare Apprentice Handicap at 5:30 Lingfield when 10 runners are scheduled to contest the Class 6 event on the all weather track.

Alan Bailey-trained Widnes has not won in 19 attempts on the flat. But, having produced his best efforts over course and distance, is tipped to lose his maiden tag at Lingfield this afternoon. The four-year-old can be forgiven his last run when fifth of 10 at Wolverhampton 12 days ago where the muddling pace didn’t suit. A better indication of the gelding’s chances can be taken from his previous run when just pipped in the closing stages by Attain and a reproduction of that form should be enough to earn a visit to the winners enclosure at last.

Karam Albaari comes into the reckoning as a potential danger, the veteran has won five times on the all weather and is a course and distance winner. The gelding has been campaigned over shorter distances so far this year and the return to 12 furlongs could prove to be significant.

Zoffany Bay was a winner at Chelmsford City in December and produced a good effort when second on his seasonal debut at the same track at the end of January. The four-year-old has since changed yards and will be having his first run for trainer Ali Stronge. The gedling is expected to run well but , unproven beyond 10 furlongs and carrying an extra 4lb, may find today’s task a little too much.

Alan King is represented by lightly-raced Outofthequestion who makes his debut on the all weather today. The gelding was a decent fifth in a Class 5 handicap at Windsor on his last outing in December but might be better watched after such a long layoff.

The five-year-old mare Pivotal Flame boasts two recent course victories at this level. She’s been tried without success over distances in excess of 10 furlongs and today’s trip may prove her undoing again.

There has been support in the market for two runners which we can’t ignore. Intermodal backed from 9/2 to 7/2 , finished sixth from 11 in a stronger contest at Kempton 11 days ago. Course and distance winner Victor’s Bet, in to 12/1 from 20/1, returns from a long lay off. The gelding has a definite chance on his best form and the market move indicates he could be one for each way backers.

Today’s going at Lingfield is Standard and the weather forecast is for light showers

Widnes is today’s horse racing prediction on the strength of two seconds over this course and distance. The gelding’s odds have drifted following support for Intermodal and Victor’s Bet and while their claims must be respected, the market moves serve to add value to Widnes as a betting proposition.