Plaisir fancied to add to Adam Kirby’s tally

From January 1 through to December 31, Adam Kirby has plied his trade relentlessly on home soil.

He has ridden in almost 1,200 races this year and has booted home 190 winners, marginally more than Luke Morris, another jockey who adopts a vigorous 'have-saddle-will-travel' policy.

While Kirby continues to ride, Morris called a halt a few days before Christmas and who is currently enjoying a well-earned holiday in Barbados.

There is no holiday for Kirby, who has a typically busy afternoon lined-up at Lingfield, where his mounts include Plaisir, the most likely winner of the 32Red.com Maiden Stakes.

Trained by Marco Botti, the juvenile filly was a beaten favourite at Kempton last time out when unable to get to grips with Showtime Blues, but she finished a respectable runner-up all the same, and she had previously shown potential when third on her debut on the same course.

Plaisir looks more than capable of winning in maiden company. And with the insatiable Kirby on board, she can find opportunity knocking here.

Hayley Turner could figure among the winners aboard Zman Awal in the Ladbrokes Handicap.

A previous course and distance winner, the James Fanshawe-trained gelding did not experience much luck on his latest start here when sixth to Lady Brigid after a slow start and meeting trouble in running. That he was beaten less than three lengths by the winner, was no mean feat in the circumstances.

Zman Awal had previously gone down by only a neck to Bint Daddy at Wolverhampton. A bold show is expected today provided he enjoys the rub of the green and does not lose ground at the start.

Stormbound may prove the solution to the Download The Ladbrokes App Handicap.

A consistent campaigner, the five-year-old finished well in third place at Kempton last time out after being squeezed for room as the race developed in earnest. With Martin Lane in the saddle, he is napped to gain compensation for that luckless effort this time.

Also worth noting at the all-weather meeting are the in-form Divine Rule (12.40) and the Richard Fahey-trained raider Star Of The Stage (1.10), who contests his first handicap off a mark of 67 and who may also benefit from this step up in distance.

Over the sticks at Warwick, which is subject to a morning inspection, the EBF Stallions 'Mares' Novices' Hurdle looks an interesting race. Punters will no doubt be drawn to the obvious claims of Gabriella Rose, a winner on her seasonal debut, but a note should be made of Knocklayde Express, who hails from the in-form Kim Bailey stable.

Previously trained in Northern Ireland by Stuart Crawford and the winner of a Kelso bumper last February on her only outing to date, Knocklayde Express looks a fascinating recruit to hurdling and one who promises to do well, especially over this distance of two miles and five furlongs. She is not to be underestimated.

Couldhavehaditall makes plenty of appeal in the Whitson Bloodstock Novices' Handicap Chase.

The six-year-old made a pleasing start to the campaign when chasing home Stellar Notion at Leicester a month ago. That form has since been franked by the winner going on to score at Kempton's classy Boxing Day meeting.

Trained by Paul Webber, Couldhavehaditall is fancied to go one better here.

Roll The Dice (2.20), who is nothing if not consistent and who has finished in the money on his last four starts, is overdue a winning turn. His chance could come under Tom O'Brien, while Nigel Twiston-Davies may have found a good opportunity for Ballykan (3.50) to fulfil the promise of his runner-up effort in a Uttoxeter bumper three weeks ago after showing plenty of promise in point-to-points.

Selections

Lingfield today
12.40 Divine Rule, 1.10 Star Of The Stage, 1.40 Plaisir, 2.10 Compton Prince, 2.40 Zman Awal, 3.10 Stormbound (NAP), 3.40 Qatar Princess.

Warwick today
12.50 Steel Summit, 1.20 Super Sam, 1.50 Couldhavehaditall, 2.20 Roll The Dice, 2.50 Knocklayde Express, 3.20 Free World, 3.50 Ballykan.

Today’s other meeting
Uttoxeter.