BLUE BAJAN has his first allweather start in nearly three years at Wolverhampton and can make a triumphant return to the winter discipline.
The Betdaq The Betting Exchange Conditions Stakes looks a tricky little contest, with plenty of question marks over a number of runners but Blue Bajan has some 5lb in hand on official ratings.
The eight-year-old has not run on the Polytrack since March 2007, when he finished a highly creditable fifth in a blanket finish to the Winter Derby.
Andy Turnell has been keeping him busy on the turf and over hurdles since and he was most recently seen finishing last in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton after cutting out the early pace.
He is obviously dropping back markedly in trip but has been good enough to claim places in Pattern company in the past and a spin on the level may be just what Blue Bajan needs to rekindle his enthusiasm.
Trainer Marco Botti has really come to the fore over the last 12 months and can continue his fine run with Tiradito.
Botti came of age when sending Gitano Hernando to claim a shock success in the Grade One Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita last October.
Although Tiradito is some way short of the calibre of his Dubai World Cup-bound stablemate, he looks the pick in the Try Betdaq For An Exchange Handicap.
The three-year-old hit the mark at the fifth time of asking at Lingfield, winning a moderate maiden without ever having to hit top gear.
However, he had previously struggled to muster any kind of form on his sole start in handicap company at Kempton last month, finishing eighth of 11.
That effort can be forgiven, though, as Tiradito was returning from a seven-month lay-off and was probably in need of the outing.
He remains on a mark of 74 here, which does not look too harsh, and he should be given another chance.
Tilt looked one to steer clear of on the level but a switch to obstacles seems to have reawakened his interest judged on a debut hurdles win at Catterick last month.
He returns to that track for the Hipswell Novices’ Hurdle and following his near-fourlength triumph last time, Tilt is now definitely one for the shortlist.
Divine Force is on a roll and it should pay to follow him as he goes in search of a hattrick at Lingfield.
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