16:00 Lingfield

Friday 24 February 2017

All14:2014:5515:2516:0016:3517:05

sunbets.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 1m 23.76s

(8)

Valbchek^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: G Baker| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 90

8/1

Scored on his only try over C&D as well as also winning on two other occasions at the track over 6f. Overall though his strike rate is poor and his latest two runs while creditable have been no more than adequate with both those runs coming over 7f at Kempton Park.

Form: 3-75447

(13)

Firmdecisions²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 90

14/1

Showed creditable form in three of his last four starts with the effort at Kempton last time out being a solid one off a mark of 90. Whilst he should run another sound race here, this is a career high mark and the handicapper may well be in control now.

Form: 0-26353

(9)

Fiftyshadesofgrey³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: S J Drowne| T: George Baker| OR: 90

12/1

Came back to form last time out at Kempton Park over 7f with the handicapper starting to cut him some slack at last when finishing third (Valbchek back in fourth) and his chance should be respected here.

Form: 6000-34

(7)

Shyron⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: G G Margarson| OR: 88

6/1

Proved rather inconsistent with his fifth at Wolverhampton underlining that point although he drops 2lb below his last winning mark now with the jockey booking taking the eye.

Form: 878002

(5)

Joey's Destiny¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Liam Keniry| T: George Baker| OR: 87

8/1

Lightly-raced on the AW but has won four times on turf although the losing run is starting to look rather lengthy now (last win came in June 2014). Has run well on all AW starts and looks likely to remain in good form. Down to a handy mark if he can put everything together at this trip although he does need everything to drop perfectly.

Form: 5-98505

(2)

Honiara^b1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: P & O Cole| OR: 85

6/1

Just the one win to his name so far and that came on the AW surface at Chantilly in May over a mile when favourite. The mark that he gained for that win initially looked a harsh one but he's run two decent races of late off this mark (85) and it may not prove beyond him as the blinkers go on for the first time.

Form: 055-352

(4)

The Warrior²¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 84

8/1

Comes back to the track after a significant absence and looks a hard horse to win with having only one win from 18 starts to show for his efforts so far. His one previous AW try came over C&D on his first run for this yard and although his mark is falling, he faces some more experienced AW types.

Form: 321453

(6)

Take The Helm¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Kieren Fox| T: B J Meehan| OR: 83

9/2

Had four attempts over C&D (placed three times) and is a dual AW winner with both wins coming at Wolverhampton over 7f. In good form last time out over C&D when taking the runner-up slot (wore first-time cheekpieces) in a race where once again he was hindered by the high draw and looks capable of winning off this mark.

Form: 721214

(1)

Twin Point^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 82

6/1

C&D winner who has a good overall record at this course (212). Bettered that run off another short break when winning a Kempton 0-85 handicap over 7f beating Lexington Times ½L having had the run of the race and now finds himself up in grade and off a career high mark in a bid to follow-up that win.

Form: 3482-18

(10)

Lexington Times⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 81

16/1

Returns to the scene of his last win which came over this trip in Listed company in March 2015 when he was rated 98 and with Richard Hannon. So far failed to capitalise on a falling mark for his new yard but has run some sound races. Will be best suited by a strong gallop but needs to prove he will go through with his finishing effort.

Form: 5-95229

(11)

Shypen²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80

16/1

Has two AW wins to his name with one of them coming over C&D when he broke his maiden back in 2015. Has scored three times since then with the AW win coming at Wolverhampton over 6f. Hasn't been with this yard for long and shapes as though he's on a workable mark, although he could do with racing a little less freely to see out this trip properly.

Form: 4-83615

(12)

Fire Diamond^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Probert| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 72

20/1

Recorded a four-timer on the AW this season but has a tough draw to contend with and has to run from out of the handicap here.

Form: 1-14405

Non-Runners

(3)

Young John²⁰

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: R A Fahey J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Take The Helm (9/2), Honiara (6/1), Shyron (6/1), Twin Point (6/1), The Warrior (8/1), Joey's Destiny (8/1), Valbchek (8/1), Fiftyshadesofgrey (12/1), Firmdecisions (14/1), Shypen (16/1), Lexington Times (16/1), Fire Diamond (20/1), Young John (20/1)

Twin Point is nicely berthed to take advantage of an easy lead and that could see him establish a good track position. Joey’s Destiny is another type who looks on a handy mark but he does need everything to drop right and it could be that his stablemate Fiftyshadesofgrey who holds the better chance of the George Baker duo. TAKE THE HELM presents the most compelling case overall though with the draw looking more favourable this time around and after three places over C&D he may well be able to gain the elusive victory in what is a tough handicap. 1. Take The Helm 2. Fiftyshadesofgrey 3. Twin Point