14:10 Lingfield

Friday 14 April 2017

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

Betway All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 3m 15.18s

(3)

First Mohican^h²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A King| OR: 101

16/1

Has proved equally as effective on turf as he is on the AW in recent times and finished a slightly unlucky fourth in this last year, travelling as good as anything turning for home before meeting a wall a traffic. Won on his only start here since, beating a smart Mark Johnston runner easily enough and while this looks a slightly stronger race than last year's renewal, he should go well again with these being his optimum conditions.

Form: 682-317

(4)

Gavlar^v²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 94

25/1

Course winner who bounced back to form at Newcastle last time and looks far better suited to the AW than turf. However, the form he's shown to date is a level below what is required and his apprentice jockey is unable to claim 3lb under the conditions of this race.

Form: 08-4184

(9)

Haines³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 94

33/1

Unsuited by the drop back in trip last time but well suited to the return to 2m. This has been the long-term target but all his wins have come away from this course and he may prefer a more galloping track.

Form: 452684-

(1)

John Reel^t1⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: J F Egan| T: P D Evans| OR: 92

40/1

Just one win from his last 29 starts and probably a little better around Wolverhampton in his pomp. Simply hasn't been in good enough form to recommend here and he'll need the first-time tongue-tie to make a big difference.

Form: 039742

(7)

Pinzolo⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: I Mohammed| OR: 108

8/1

Very useful when he can dictate from the front and won two of his last three starts here, only denied a hat-trick by the talented Convey. Broke the 1m4f course record two starts back and his hopes rest on whether he will stay. Mixed messages on that score in his form to date; beaten as short-priced favourite in a pair of 2m efforts but did appear to be staying on when winning over 1m6f at Chelmsford.

Form: 351-120

(5)

Steve Rogers⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 100

16/1

Three wins from eight starts on the AW and trainer has made a flying start to the season but this gelding is becoming a little exposed at this level and looks a better prospect on Tapeta. Needs to step up on the bare level of his form to figure here.

Form: 108252

(14)

Watersmeet⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 105

7/1

Two-time course winner back to his very best this year and proved he stayed this trip when winning and staying on well at Chelmsford last time This race looks a far tougher assignment and he won't be able to dictate the pace from the front, particularly with this poor draw to contend with. He may be one to take on as a likely market leader.

Form: 21-3112

(2)

Winterlude²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: D Nolan| T: J Candlish| OR: 105

16/1

Well beaten short-priced favourite here last month, finishing last of five; a run that wouldn't look like an ideal preparation for this. Has won at this course three times and versatile tactics wise so he'd be dangerous to rule out if that was just a blip. Jockey rides this course well.

Form: 848657

(8)

Cohesion³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 105

5/1

Lightly raced individual who failed to make an impression at Group level in France but did get off the mark for this yard last time at Wolverhampton. Step up in trip could bring about more improvement but proved a little disappointing in two previous efforts at this course.

Form: 5-43147

(6)

Petite Jack²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Mitchell| T: N B King| OR: 98

8/1

Won five of his six starts around here (sole loss came on debut) and very effective when held up in a strongly run race, as seen last time here. Still improving and gives the impression he will get better as the opposition improves but there has to be stamina doubts having not run over anything further than an extended 1m4f on the Flat.

Form: 516811

(13)

Prince Of Arran¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: T P Queally| T: C Fellowes| OR: 103

15/2

Finished 3¾L third behind one that looks well-handicapped at Kempton last time. That looks like a solid effort and shapes like he will get further. The wide draw is the concern for his supporters but he has won three times on the AW (all on Polytrack at Kempton).

Form: 714-352

(10)

Vettori Rules^p1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 101

50/1

Winner in Italy over 1m2f before making the switch to his current yard and has run okay on his last two starts over this trip but somewhat ruining his chances by being too keen. First-time cheekpieces replace the hood and that equipment change needs to work if he's to have any chance in this.

Form: 16-5230

(12)

Winning Story^p⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 104

7/1

Got the better of First Mohican at Newcastle two starts back but proved no match for Watersmeet at Chelmsford last time. Likely to be more to come and trainer has hit form in the last couple of weeks, running at around the 50% mark. He has an excellent record when teaming up with this jockey and they're a combination to be feared with an unexposed sort on their hands.

Form: U361-21

(11)

Natural Scenery⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 103

4/1

Difficult filly to predict and doesn't look like the easiest ride. Given plenty of time to get going and won easily enough over an extended 2m last time at Newcastle but there's a nagging doubt this track is a negative for her. Trainer in fine form.

Form: 5-16312

Forecasts

Natural Scenery (4/1), Cohesion (5/1), Winning Story (7/1), Watersmeet (7/1), Prince Of Arran (15/2), Petite Jack (8/1), Pinzolo (8/1), Steve Rogers (16/1), First Mohican (16/1), Winterlude (16/1), Gavlar (25/1), Haines (33/1), John Reel (40/1), Vettori Rules (50/1)

A high-class renewal of this race sees plenty of exciting prospects take centre stage, but it may be worth siding with experience and FIRST MOHICAN. He could make amends for his effort in this last year when he finished an unlucky fourth, travelling best turning for home before meeting plenty of interference. He proved this track was to his liking last time out when scoring C&D and he had three of these rivals in behind. He's taken to reverse the form with Winning Story who got the better of him at Newcastle a couple of starts back but has a tougher draw to deal with. Saeed Bin Suroor's yard have been flying in the past couple of weeks and his other runner Natural Scenery looks like a talented horse but she may find things happening a little quick for her around here. Petite Jack likes this course and is a danger to all if he stays the trip.