Free racing tips: Rory Delargy's bets for Sunday at Lingfield, Southwell and Carlisle

Recommended bets

1pt win Arthur's Reuben in 12.20 Southwell at 9/1 (minimum 15/2)

1.5pts win Sir Rodneyredblood in 1.15 Lingfield at 7/1 (minimum 1pt win at 9/2)

1.5pts win Jonniesofa in 1.35 Carlisle at 11/4 (minimum 1pt at 5/2)

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

From The Massey Notebook – 1.15 Lingfield

I’ve been a fan of Sir Rodneyredblood ever since I saw him on his second start at Windsor where, purely on looks, he went in the notebook as one that would progress at three, and at his own low level, he holds his own in these sprint contests.

Lingfield really suits his style of racing - he tends to show very good early speed in his races, and he simply scoots around Lingfield’s tight turn, which is where he tries to win his races by getting away before the finishers come with their efforts. It works too - his record over C&D reads 151, and he comes here off the back of a very good effort at Chelmsford. The 5f at the Essex Showground was on the sharp side for him there, and he couldn’t lead, but he kept trying hard and was only beaten a head.

There’s very little early pace on here and from a decent draw, he can get out and across to an ideal spot as the rest are still scrabbling for track position in behind. He’s drawn in stall 6, and that looks ideal given the only other obvious early speed come outside him, and his previous wins here have come from similar stalls positions.

Arthur Chance – 12.20 Southwell

My man in Nottinghamshire swears blind that the going will be very testing at Southwell with more rain around, and that won’t suit many here, but is a definite positive for the slow old boat (well, he’s not winning any Gold Cups) we both like at the weights.

Arthur’s Reuben is by no means quick, or prolific for that matter, but he’s been found a very weak race in which to make his debut for a new yard and there might be reasons for thinking he can double his overall win tally today.

He comes here after wind surgery, and that was also the case for his only win to date which came at Huntingdon back in 2019. His best form since has come when conditions have put a premium on stamina, such as when third on heavy ground over 3m here 13 month ago. That run came in a better class of race and off a 7lb higher mark so he’s clearly fairly treated if he can be brought back to form.

He didn’t go particularly well fresh for Jennie Candlish but it’s worth noting that he’s very much under new management having been shunted along by his owner to the yard of Sean Curran. Sean has his string firing on all cylinders after a quiet spell and six of his last 16 runners have been successful in the past month, which is a remarkable strike rate at this sort of level. That run includes the shock victory of Talking About You in a Listed hurdle at Aintree last weekend.

Are You Sitting Comfortably – 1:35 Carlisle

He’s clearly not been easy to train, but backers of Jonniesofa have always got a good spin for their money when he’s returned from one of his absences and his record over fences off an absence reads 121. He also has a record on heavy ground of 211124 and is a course winner on his only chase outing at Carlisle.

He’s run with credit in much better company than this, such as when a close fourth off 4lb higher in last season’s Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, when he was well ahead of recent Listed winner Lake View Lad. He’s clearly on a decent mark on the balance of his form and with his yard is in better form this winter than it was at the same time last year, Jonniesofa really does have ticks in all the right boxes.

Posted at 1800 GMT on 12/12/20

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.