16:35 Lingfield

Monday 20 February 2017

All13:5014:2014:5015:2516:0016:3517:05

Racing Welfare 24HR Helpline 0800 6300 443 Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 4m 10.0s

Champion Chase⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

10/1

In good hands but hasn't shown enough in two starts to think he can get involved here. Will do better once going up in trip and probably seeing a fence.

Form: 2/80335-

Clondaw Westie^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Mrs L Hill

40/1

Did win a modest point-to-point back in 2015, but has shown little in two starts over hurdles and needs this for a handicap mark.

Form: F10/975-

Groundunderrepair²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 113

5/4

Has shown promise in both starts over hurdles, finishing second at Fontwell and third at Plumpton, on both occasions staying on well after getting a little outpaced. However, both of those efforts came over further and this drop back to the minimum two miles does not look in his favour. Nevertheless, still looks a player in a modest event.

Form: 5-32315

Martabot¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 112

8/1

Definite promise on first start for the yard at Ffos Las in December when fifth to Robinhill, form that's working out okay, where he travelled fine but just got tired on his first run for over two years. Should have come on plenty for that and the yard had a couple of winners at the weekend after a quiet spell. One of the more interesting ones.

Form: F42/

My Boy James¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: Mrs L J Mongan

20/1

Promise in all three bumper starts, and it wasn't a bad effort when fifth in what looked a decent race on paper at Newbury last time, despite pulling hard. Probably best watched on hurdles debut but should win races in the future.

Form: 35

Not Never⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

7/1

Useful on the Flat for Hugo Palmer, and was rated 93 when moving to Gary Moore last October. Plenty of promise on his debut at Plumpton when fifth to Bastien but not so good in two starts since, weakening quickly at Newbury last time and finishing last. Heavy ground another worry here and despite having a good chance on the figures, is passed over.

Form: 4406

Welluptoscratch^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: D W P Arbuthnot| OR: 101

5/2

Won a little Plumpton bumper back in 2015 (on good ground) and has shown the odd good piece of form over hurdles since, such as when second to Zante back at Plumpton in April last year. However, not progressing and mark already coming down based on two handicap efforts at Warwick and Sandown. Ground another issue and looks an unlikely winner.

Form: 53/162-4

Non-Runners

Mansion⁴⁴

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: Miss V Williams J: L Treadwell

Forecasts

Groundunderrepair (5/4), Welluptoscratch (5/2), Mansion (6/1), Not Never (7/1), Martabot (8/1), Champion Chase (10/1), My Boy James (20/1), Clondaw Westie (40/1)

With the trip possibly on the short side for Groundunderrepair, a chance is taken than MARTABOT has come on enough from his Ffos Las run to take a hand here. That run was full of promise and this trip should be ideal. Not Never is hard to weigh up at present, but, he and the aforementioned Groundunderrepair still look the most likely to fill out the places. 1. Martabot 2. Groundunderrepair 3. Not Never