14:30 Lingfield

Wednesday 18 January 2017

All12:5013:2514:0014:3015:0515:3516:05

Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 2m 45.24s

(5)

Thomas Blossom^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: David Probert| T: A Stronge| OR: 64

7/2

In good form when last seen on the Flat and been running with credit over hurdles recently. Should be thereabouts again but not obviously well-handicapped.

Form: 3242-32

(3)

Loving Your Work^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch⁽³⁾| T: K O Cunningham-Brown| OR: 62

14/1

Yet to record a victory on synthetics, but three time winner on turf (all Newbury). Out of form when last seen in December at Kempton and he needs the step up in trip to bring out improvement. Well handicapped if he returns to form.

Form: 160980-

(4)

Pinwood^t¹⁰⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J F Egan| T: A West| OR: 65

25/1

Unplaced on all four starts for this yard at big prices and has a break to overcome now.

Form: 7-13256

(10)

Major Ben³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: P D Evans| OR: 65

5/2

Scored at Wolverhampton two starts back but failed to back that up here last time. Has broken poorly on several occasions in his career and probably best watched for now.

Form: 7761

(2)

Epsom Day³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: G Baker| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 65

6/1

Unplaced on last five starts and another who has stalls issues. The arrival of this jockey in the saddle is a bonus but plenty of risks attached. Down to a workable mark at least.

Form: 3-16467

(9)

Ruzeiz¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: P Hedger| OR: 57

20/1

Improved on recent efforts when a remote third last time but losing run stretches back to 2012 and he's no certainty to back that up.

Form: 277700

(8)

Multigifted^h³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Liam Keniry| T: M Madgwick| OR: 59

7/1

Beaten when a short-priced favourite last time and drop in trip not an obvious move. Failed to place around here in three attempts and possible this track doesn't play to his strengths.

Form: 4718-52

(1)

Cape Spirit¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: William Cox⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 53

4/1

Still a maiden after 19 starts but best effort to date when second in a Wolverhampton handicap last time. No certainty to back that up but obvious claims if he does and has the services of a promising claimer.

Form: 429655

(6)

Norse Castle³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: R Havlin| T: M R Bosley| OR: 58

14/1

Unplaced on all six starts to date and no sign he's ready to score off this kind of handicap mark.

Form: 0-7409

Non-Runners

(7)

Fast Play⁴

Weight: 10-4| Age: 5

T: R Hughes J: S W Kelly

Forecasts

Major Ben (5/2), Thomas Blossom (7/2), Cape Spirit (4/1), Epsom Day (6/1), Fast Play (13/2), Multigifted (7/1), Loving Your Work (14/1), Norse Castle (14/1), Ruzeiz (20/1), Pinwood (25/1)

CAPE SPIRIT gets the services of promising claimer William Cox and the seven pounds he takes off the mare's back may just help her get her head in front. Epsom Day represents the 2016 St Leger winning combination of Laura Mongan and George Baker and the arrival of Baker in the saddle may spark a revival. Multigifted was a disappointing favourite last time but he's a player if he copes with this drop back in trip. 1. Cape Spirit 2. Epsom Day 3. Multigifted