17:30 Lingfield
Tuesday 11 April 2017
All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30
Betway Apprentice Handicap (Div 2)
- 4YO plus  |  Class 6  |  1m 4f  |  Standard  |  9 Runners  |  Polytrack  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:30Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 2m 32.15s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
His February 1m2f Chelmsford success was his first since 2015, but he forged clear to win by 4L, shaping as if this trip was within range. However, he's an inconsistent type and was beaten over shorter from this mark next time. Useful 7lb claimer booked, and a likely player if he stays.
Returns from just shy of four months off the track, and was third to Bamako Du Chatelet when last seen in action over C&D in December. Her sole AW success came over 1m3f at Kempton in August 2015, and she's rated just 1lb higher in this race.
Has left Chris Gordon since his last race at Bath in July 2016. Placed on both previous starts on the AW for Jonathan Portman back in 2014, but best watched on stable debut.
Much improved on the AW in 2017, winning here over 1m5f in February, and following up with a neck second (4/7f) over a similar trip at Chelmsford a week later. Surprisingly switched back to hurdles latest, but a key player back on the Flat from an 8lb higher mark (than winning mark).
Veteran, but a ten time winner from 112 starts. Third over this C&D to Bamako Du Chatelet in May 2016, but well below par on his final two starts of that year (both over 1m). Off since October 2016, so the pertinent question is does he still retain a zest for racing?
Fakenham novices handicap hurdle winner (November 2015), but remains a maiden after 30 attempts on the Flat. Needs to do far better than on his last two runs, and is held by Willyegolassiego on course form from February.
Both of her wins have come over C&D, and she's on a winnable mark if producing her best. However, she's been badly out of form since winning here in August 2016, and has beaten just two rivals home in her last three races at this track.
Her sole career success in 33 attempts came over this C&D in October 2015 (beat Fleetwood Poppy by 1¼L), and she showed marginally more of late at odds of 100/1 when sixth to Smiley Bagel at Kempton last month. She'd be a speculative selection, but from a mark of 43, could go well enough at sizeable odds.
44 race career maiden, and ninth of ten to Briac over 2m at Kempton on her most recent start. No reason as to why today will be her day to shine.
Forecasts
Willyegolassiego (10/11), Nouvelle Ere (5/1), Hallingham (13/2), Fair Comment (7/1), Galuppi (12/1), Fleetwood Poppy (16/1), Movie Magic (20/1), Athenian Garden (25/1), Bennelong (25/1)
Division 2 of this Apprentices Handicap is no stronger than Division 1 which makes finding the winner a pretty thankless task. Athenian Garden is a speculative each-way play at potentially hugely rewarding odds, but this is best left to the improving WILLYEGOLASSIEGO. It was a surprise to see her over hurdles last time given her improvement on the AW in 2017, and she is likely to have too much stamina for the upped in trip Chelmsford winner Nouvelle Ere.
- Willyegolassiego
- Athenian Garden
- Nouvelle Ere
Prize Money
1st: £2,264.002nd: £674.003rd: £337.004th: £168.00
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