14:20 Lingfield

Wednesday 20 December 2017

All11:4012:1012:4013:1013:4514:2014:5515:25

Betway Sprint Handicap

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 1m 13.29s

(9)

Zenovia^b1,t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 60| BF| D

7/1

Took a Wolverhampton handicap over this trip in October from a mark of 55. Has been thereabouts from today's mark a couple of times since, including here, and first-time blinkers may be able to give him that little extra required.

Form: 814575

(10)

Fullon Clarets^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 60| CD

22/1

Sole win was in a C&D maiden in 2015. Has been sliding in the weights for over two years now and has shown nothing in four starts for this yard so far. Not easy to fancy from wide draw given recent CV.

Form: 83-0789

(7)

Arcanista^p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Mr Paul Hainey⁽⁷⁾| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 59| D

8/1

Couldn't win for previous two trainers, but struck for this one at Windsor (6f, good to soft) in October. Short-headed here over C&D two starts ago from just 1lb lower than today and if in that mood again then she is not ruled out.

Form: 341025

(6)

Bobby Vee¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 59| D

33/1

Yet to make the frame from three All Weather attempts, her best efforts being on turf. On a handy enough mark for this first run since June, but probably best watched unless market speaks particularly well of her chance.

Form: 880430

(11)

Mercers³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁷⁾| T: P Butler| OR: 59| C

20/1

Won a 5f maiden here in February and ran well to be a 1L third over that trip in a handicap next time, from a mark of 64. Really good effort from today's mark over C&D last time on first run for this trainer and is short-listed despite draw.

Form: 625344

(2)

El Torito^p³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: J R Boyle| OR: 59

9/4

Out of form and sliding in the weights for several runs now since winning over 7f at Brighton in May. 0-5 on All Weather, though acted well enough on sole start here earlier in year. Handy mark, but has a fair bit to prove on recent evidence.

Form: 809050

(8)

Billyoakes^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: C Wallis| OR: 58| D

7/1

Was once rated 79, but has been on the slide for quite some time and now down to this career-low mark. Has been reasonably consistent of late and put in a good run here last time (beaten 1½L). Should be on the premises.

Form: 763653

(1)

Strictly Carter^t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Burns⁽⁷⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 57| D

4/1

Sole AW success was over 6f at Wolverhampton in February from just 2lb lower. Lost his way slightly in late summer/autumn, but staged a revival over C&D last time when beaten 1¼L. Inside draw and claims with 7lb off his back if things drop right.

Form: 190703

(4)

Napping^h³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: M Harley| T: Mrs A L M King| OR: 56

6/1

Has promised future success on more than one occasion, including last time over C&D when a neck third (short head behind Arcanista and ahead of Mercers and Zenovia). Up 1lb for that but good draw and not ruled out.

Form: 5353

(3)

Krazy Paving^v1³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Mrs A L M King| OR: 53| CD

16/1

Scored over C&D in January and bettered that with success at Chelmsford in March. Well held all four subsequent starts, including over C&D last time. Blinkers traded for visor and now 1lb below last winning mark, so could go well from good draw.

Form: 216600

Non-Runners

(12)

Spin Top²¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: W R Muir J: Non Runner

(5)

Drop Kick Murphi⁴²

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: Mrs C A Dunnett J: Jacob Mitchell

Forecasts

El Torito (9/4), Strictly Carter (4/1), Napping (6/1), Billyoakes (7/1), Zenovia (7/1), Arcanista (8/1), Spin Top (8/1), Krazy Paving (16/1), Mercers (20/1), Fullon Clarets (22/1), Drop Kick Murphi (25/1), Bobby Vee (33/1)

Competitive fayre for this grade and the lengthy short-list includes Spin Top, Billyoakes, Strictly Carter, Arcanista and Mercers, though the vote goes to ZENOVIA. Archie Watson's filly has been very competitive recently and might benefit from the application of first-time blinkers today. The Anabel King-trained pair Napping and Krazy Paving are both nicely drawn and are also not ruled out.