15:10 Lingfield

Friday 14 April 2017

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

Betway All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes

Off time: 15:13 | Winning time: 1m 9.36s

(8)

Boom The Groom⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: A W Carroll| OR: 105

12/1

One win from seven attempts over C&D and finished unplaced in two previous efforts in this race. Gets the services of a jockey who rides this course well (19.34% strike-rate) and his mount looks equally as effective over 6f as he does the minimum trip. Not been quite at his best this season though and others preferred.

Form: 66-3648

(14)

Doc Sportello^p⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: M Herrington| OR: 102

28/1

Won twice on the AW, both at Newcastle, with one of those efforts being in a claimer. The form of his latest handicap win is yet to work out and he's opposable from a tough draw.

Form: 5101-2

(11)

Encore d'Or⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 101

14/1

Two-time course winner but despite winning over further, he looks more effective over the minimum trip. Versatile with regards tactics but needs to be given his draw. Trainer and jockey have a 22% strike-rate when teaming up, so not dismissed out of hand but others preferred.

Form: 14-8513

(4)

Gracious John⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J F Egan| T: P D Evans| OR: 108

8/1

Arrived here as a hot favourite for the three-year-old race at this meeting last year but proved disappointing. Two-time winner at this course over the minimum trip but he's clearly a tricky customer (can hang) and yard have been unusually quiet in recent weeks.

Form: 12-4442

(5)

Kimberella²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 107

4/1

Consistent sort who got off the mark on yard debut last time at this course. Lightly-raced on the AW and there may be a little more to come from him but would probably need a career best to win this. Trainer and jockey have an excellent record when teaming up and he's drawn well. Should go close.

Form: 336-117

(6)

Lancelot Du Lac⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 107

4/1

50% strike-rate on the AW that includes two C&D successes. Clearly thriving this season and only narrowly defeated in hat-trick bid last time so every chance of going well again from a nice draw and may be able to dominate from the front.

Form: -11124

(1)

Mythmaker⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: B Smart| OR: 107

6/1

Narrowly defeated by Lancelot Du Lac last time and should have no issues getting to the front from his pea draw. That was a career best and not impossible he could improve again but the ratio of recent runner-up efforts to wins is a little disconcerting.

Form: 022-625

(12)

Pretend⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C Appleby| OR: 107

5/1

Beaten short-priced favourite on his last couple of starts and not been in the same form as he arrived in before winning this last year. May have been a little unlucky and did run well at Kempton on his comeback run, so not one to completely right off but has an awkward draw this time around.

Form: 110/275-

(9)

Realize^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 104

22/1

Very useful performer on his day but he's been a shade disappointing on his last couple of starts. All his recent form is over further than this and he would probably need his optimum conditions if he was to be considered for win purposes.

Form: 1-27764

(3)

Royal Birth^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Aaron Jones| T: S C Williams| OR: 102

7/1

Excellent effort here last time to beat Lancelot Du Lac but doesn't have the luxury of recieveing 3lb from that rival this time. May have had the run of the race to some extent and yet to win over further than 5f so others preferred this time around.

Form: 02-7319

(2)

Sign of The Kodiac²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: J G Given| OR: 94

25/1

Recorded his second win over 6f on Dundalk last time, defeating two-time Group 1 winner Gordon Lord Byron. However, that rival not the force of old these days and plenty more needed.

Form: 309617

(10)

Verne Castle^h²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 99

40/1

Two-time course winner who is clearly a progressive sort but looks a like a 5f specialist and yet to place in three attempts over 6f. May use up too much energy from his wide draw getting to the front and others hold stronger claims.

Form: 511360

Forecasts

Kimberella (4/1), Lancelot Du Lac (4/1), Pretend (5/1), Mythmaker (6/1), Royal Birth (7/1), Gracious John (8/1), Boom The Groom (12/1), Encore d'Or (14/1), Realize (22/1), Sign of The Kodiac (25/1), Doc Sportello (28/1), Verne Castle (40/1)

LANCELOT DU LAC was only narrowly defeated in a hat-trick bid last time and he's clearly thriving again this winter. He could be hard to pass on the front end. Mythmaker won't let him have it all his own way up top and should get a nice pitch from his inside draw but his habit of finishing second is slightly disconcerting. Kimberella hasn't been with this yard long and is a more consistent type than plenty in here so he should go well again after getting off the mark at the first time of asking for his new trainer.