14:55 Lingfield

Wednesday 20 December 2017

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

Betway Stayers Handicap

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 3m 25.01s

(6)

Jalingo⁸⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: T J Murphy| T: A Stronge| OR: 77| C

20/1

Useful over hurdles in 2015 for John Ferguson and rated 83 when last seen on the Flat. Off the track for an awful long time, but goes well here and if he retains his old ability then he is on a very competitive mark. Market check suggested.

Form: 614343/

(5)

Ayr Of Elegance⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Fran Berry| T: P Hide| OR: 75| CD

6/1

All three of her wins have been here, one of them over C&D from a mark of 72 in March. Has since won on turf here from 1lb higher, but that is probably the ceiling of her winning abilities and handicapper in control from this sort of mark since.

Form: 255145

(7)

Volpone Jelois^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Megan Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 73| D

7/2

Won four times on the Flat in France at up to 1m7f. Took a Taunton maiden hurdle this time last year but has been competitive in all three obstacle-free runs for this yard, including going close here over 1m4f last time. Claims from same mark.

Form: 231-323

(4)

Lost The Moon¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: S W Kelly| T: M H Tompkins| OR: 71

4/1

Was good last winter with back-to-back Chelmsford wins (1m5½f/2m) and a narrow defeat here over C&D from a mark of 77. Out of sorts on both AW/turf since, though showed signs of revival from today's mark at Wolverhampton last time. Not ruled out.

Form: P46062

(3)

Noble Behest^p⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: R Stephens| OR: 73| D

2/1

Took a while to get the hang of things but has thrived since being stepped up to this trip, running up a hat-trick at Chelmsford, Thirsk and Wolverhampton in August/September. 5lb rise will demand more on stable debut but clearly a player.

Form: 0-70111

(2)

Night Generation^p,t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: M Harley| T: C Gordon| OR: 61| CD

16/1

Dual C&D winner, the more recent in May from a mark of 61. Held by handicapper since, but now back on same mark as that success, albeit it in a bit better company, there is no reason why he can't get competitive again.

Form: 212388

(1)

Sheila's Fancy¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: L Morris| T: J S Moore| OR: 59

6/1

Recorded his best AW effort when stepped up to a similar trip at Wolverhampton last time out, having no chance with the 11L winner, but seeing off the rest of the field. Same mark for this race and may be able to make even more of an impact.

Form: 366502

Forecasts

Noble Behest (2/1), Volpone Jelois (7/2), Lost The Moon (4/1), Ayr Of Elegance (6/1), Sheila's Fancy (6/1), Night Generation (16/1), Jalingo (20/1)

An open-looking heat where Volpone Jelois looks likely to prove very competitive again and this step up in trip should suit, while Noble Behest returns from a break to try to complete a four-timer and enters calculations under a further 5lb rise. Sheila's Fancy is interesting in receipt of weight from all comers after a good effort stepped up to this trip at Wolverhampton, while Night Generation has returned to a winning mark and could do better again. It is a big ask for Jalingo to return from 886 days off and win, but a market check is advised and preference is for LOST THE MOON, who is well in on her form from last winter and hinted at a resurgence in form last time.