LiveScore Racing Preview: Lingfield, January 21, 2022

The first day of the inaugural Winter Million takes place at Lingfield on Friday when they go off seven times between 12.50pm and 4.08pm.

The official going heading into the meeting is described as 'Heavy', with testing conditions expected. 

And we have picked five horses for you to follow. 

12.50pm — Winter Million Mares' Novices' Hurdle (2m) 

After finishing second on her hurdles debut at Ludlow (2m), RAINYDAY WOMAN has won three consecutive races on the track. 

Her latest victory came at Taunton (2m½f) in a Listed race where she made all. 

Paul Nicholls' runner has won over distances ranging from 2m½f up to 2m5½f, so she is clearly very versatile. 

The Ditcheat runner sets the standard in this opener and is the one they will all have to beat. 

LiveScore selection: Rainyday Woman 

1.50pm — racehorselotto.com Handicap Chase (2m) 

An opening victory over fences was recorded by LE LIGERIEN at Chepstow earlier this month. 

He seemed to enjoy the heavy ground at the Welsh racecourse, scoring by over four lengths in the 2m contest. 

Phillip Hobbs' gelding also jumped much better than his previous appearances over fences. 

The nine-year-old is set to encounter similar testing conditions to what he appreciated at Chepstow. 

The handicapper has put him up 5lb but he can defy that rise in the ratings by successfully following up. 

LiveScore selection: Le Ligerien 

2.25pm — Cazoo Hurdle (2m7f) 

It has been 12 months now since ON THE BLIND SIDE prevailed, but in that time he has featured at the highest level, producing some respectable appearances. 

This drop in class is a big opportunity for Nicky Henderson's runner to get back to winning ways. 

The five-time hurdles winner does need to bounce back after being pulled up at Cheltenham earlier this month in the Grade Two Relkeel Hurdle. 

He has some good form on heavy ground and if he repeats his performance from earlier this season, where he was second in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, it should be enough to prevail. 

LiveScore selection: On The Blind Side 

3pm — weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices' Chase (2m7½f) 

BROKEN HALO stepped up from a decent chase debut at Chepstow (2m7½f) to score by 19 lengths at Exeter (2m3f, Heavy) earlier this month. 

He did not make a mistake over his fences, and he led them from start to finish at the Devon racecourse. 

Paul Nicholls has opted to step his horse up in distance and he must be confident that his novice chaser will be just as effective over this trip. 

The Ditcheat runner does have to carry a penalty for his recent win, but he is open to improvement, and he has the benefit of Harry Cobden in the saddle this time. 

LiveScore selection: Broken Halo 

3.35pm — Sovereign Handicap Hurdle (2m) 

Emmet Mullins is making the trip over to Lingfield for this feature race on day one of this the Winter Million with CARRERA. 

This horse is still a maiden over hurdles but the bumper winner has shown plenty to suggest he will win soon score over obstacles. 

The Irish horse was denied by just a head at Fairyhouse (2m4f) last time out. This would be a very nice prize to get off the market over hurdles in. 

LiveScore selection: Carrarea