15:30 Lingfield

Tuesday 5 December 2017

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Happy 4th Birthday Jenson Roe Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 54.9s

Hadfield^p,t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 120

4/1

Yet to score for current connections, but was a winner for John Ferguson off this mark at Carlisle in October 2015 (2m1f). Beaten 7+L when third to Arthur's Gift over 2m4f at Worcester last month (soft).

Form: 83P53-3

Mr Fickle²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: William Clarke⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 119

12/1

A winner from a 12lb lower mark at Plumpton in March (2m4f+ good to firm), but looks high enough in the weights now, hence the use of a 10lb claimer in the saddle.

Form: 05P12-9

Yorgonnahearmeroar^h²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 117

12/1

A winner over 2m at Hereford in February (heavy), but very disappointing since, including on both starts this term over fences. Switches back to hurdles from a reduced mark, and that looks the best way forward for now.

Form: 4123-9P

Delface^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 115

8/1

Made all when making a winning stable debut at Ffos Las in May (2m novices hurdle good to soft). Weakened tamely after leading on seasonal/handicap debut at Leicester last month, but should have more to offer.

Form: 901-17

Theydon Park^p1³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: M Roberts| OR: 114

8/1

No joy in 13 attempts over hurdles for Joseph O'Brien after making a winning bumper debut for Peter Charalambous. Sold cheaply for £2,500 last month, and makes stable debut wearing first time cheek-pieces.

Form: 2U460P

Guards Chapel^b¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 110| C

20/1

A winner of nine races in 53 career starts (three from 21 over hurdles), but off the track for over a year prior to his return at Plumpton last month (pulled up). Questions to answer at present.

Form: 4/7314-8

Black Anthem¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Dave Crosse| T: B Barr| OR: 108

12/1

A 10 race maiden. Beaten 5L by Foxy Act in a 2m5f+ novices hurdle at Newton Abbot in late July, but looked badly in need of the race on his return at Catterick latest (2m3f+ good to soft).

Form: 5-02327

The Game Is A Foot²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 107| C

9/4

Unpenalised for a 9L success at Plumpton early last month (2m4f), he followed up over 2m here eight days later (5L winner). 8lb higher now, but that's fair and has an excellent young 5lb claimer aboard. A quickfire hat-trick looks likely.

Form: 107-411

Western Sunrise¹⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: J Farrelly| OR: 104

13/2

Falling in the weights, and claims on the pick of her form in 2016 (notably over 2m4f at Uttoxeter in May). More encouraging at Ffos Las latest (2m6f), but didn't stay. Player over a suitable trip.

Form: 2964-53

Hit The Headlines^t³⁵⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁷⁾| T: N Dunger| OR: 92

14/1

Off since December 2016, and back over hurdles for the first time since his Irish days in 2013. Plunging in the weights and has left Luke Dace for pastures new, but most unlikely to make a front page splash for new connections.

Form: 8P22/55-

Forecasts

The Game Is A Foot (9/4), Hadfield (4/1), Western Sunrise (13/2), Theydon Park (8/1), Delface (8/1), Yorgonnahearmeroar (12/1), Black Anthem (12/1), Mr Fickle (12/1), Hit The Headlines (14/1), Guards Chapel (20/1)

A golden opportunity for THE GAME IS A FOOT to notch a quickfire hat-trick in the very capable hands of James Bowen. This horse has effectively been raised a combined total of 8lb for two successes (by 9L and 5L), and in truth that appears to be very fair. He is versatile in terms of trip, and although probably strongest at Plumpton, he's clearly happy here as well. Western Sunrise looks an obvious contender for the places over a much more suitable trip, whilst the unexposed Delface should have something positive to contribute.