14:55 Lingfield

Saturday 23 December 2017

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Betway Handicap

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 2m 32.64s

(3)

Majeed¹⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: George Bass⁽⁷⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 101

12/1

Had some decent form in the summer including second at Royal Ascot but lost way in last two. Returns here off a workable mark and has a five from nine AW record so if ready rates a leading player.

Form: 480206

(6)

Primero²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

6/4

Three-time French winner including twice on AW who made his debut for this yard when a respectable fifth at Wolverhampton last month over 1m1½f. This trip will suit better as he's won over it before and should be fitter so a leading contender.

Form: 118235

(8)

Abareeq²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 97| CD

5/1

Comfortable C&D winner in March but not able to add to it since. Returned from five month absence latest when midfield in a French Listed race. Only 3lb above C&D win now so not impossible.

Form: 094807

(7)

Brandon Castle^h,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 97| D

14/1

Won five of eight starts for current yard. Outclassed in Group One two starts back before latest fourth of five at Wolverhampton. 7lb above last win and 35lb above C&D win that started his golden spell off. Handicapper may have caught up.

Form: 211194

(5)

Ming Dynasty¹⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Josephine Gordon| T: M Botti| OR: 97| D

5/1

Won a Group Two in October 2015 before fourth to the outstanding globetrotter Highland Reel in Hong Kong Group One. Just three runs this year winning one. Switches stables now and handicap mark looks very appealing.

Form: 081-155

(2)

Storm King¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 92

20/1

Eight wins all over shorter although he seems to stay 1m4f. Struggled a bit after double hiked him up to today's mark last three times although one decent effort in there at Doncaster. Others look better handicapped.

Form: 811048

(4)

Elysian Fields^p1⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: J Mitchell| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 87| D

14/1

Seven starts this year and unplaced in last six of them. Handicap now on the slide and cheek-pieces added but others make greater appeal at present.

Form: 574807

(1)

Hajaam^t1⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 88| BF| D

13/2

Autumn four-timer saw him up 25lb. Disappointing as favourite latest at Kempton when fifth of six and he stopped quite quickly so today's tongue-tie could get him back on the upward curve.

Form: 411115

Forecasts

Primero (6/4), Abareeq (5/1), Ming Dynasty (5/1), Hajaam (13/2), Majeed (12/1), Elysian Fields (14/1), Brandon Castle (14/1), Storm King (20/1)

There was lots to like about the British debut of formerly classy French import PRIMERO last month particularly given he had been off for quite some time beforehand and would probably have found the trip on the sharp side. He will be fitter here, has a more suitable trip and is 2lb lower so all things point to a bold effort. Ming Dynasty was below par in his last two runs but it's difficult to ignore his 2015 form and if Marco Botti can revive him he could well prove to be thrown in here. Hajaam has made rapid progress this term and could have choked latest when flopping in search of a five-timer so a tongue-tie could get him back on track.