13:45 Lingfield

Thursday 28 December 2017

All11:4012:1012:4513:1513:4514:2014:5515:30

Betway Stayers Handicap

Off time: 13:49 | Winning time: 3m 27.32s

(7)

Rydan^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: A Kirby| T: G & J Moore| OR: 85

11/2

Much improved for step up to 2m for first time when second by 1L latest at Kempton having travelled very smoothly. 1lb higher here but may prove a different proposition now at this distance.

Form: 473552

(5)

Royal Reserve²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: K Shoemark| T: D O'Meara| OR: 85| C

10/1

Ended a run of great consistency latest when last of nine at Newcastle. Previously going great guns with a win at Kempton over 1m4f as well as good runs there over 1m3f and 2m. Capable if he bounces back.

Form: 218239

(8)

Captain Navarre^v²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 85| D

11/10

Never out of the first three on AW winning three times including the last twice over 2m at Kempton and Wolverhampton. 10lb rise in total for the two but that may not be enough to stop his progress.

Form: 4/1-8711

(6)

Continuum^v¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: P Hedger| OR: 83

8/1

Behind rivals today in last two starts with latest fourth giving him 1L to make up with Rydan. Small as the margin was that rival is open to improvement over this trip.

Form: 782-664

(3)

Poyle Thomas^h1¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Fran Berry| T: M Madgwick| OR: 76

25/1

Some 18L behind Rydan latest when eight of 10 and 9¼L behind Captain Navarre the time before when fourth of 11. Can't possibly see him turning such deficits around.

Form: 0-86048

(4)

Island Brave²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: H Main| OR: 80| C

7/2

Won last two at Wolverhampton over 1m1½f and 1m4f latest. Still unexposed and likely ahead of the handicapper so all depends on whether he handles another big step up in trip.

Form: 060911

(1)

Aristocles^v1²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Charles Bishop| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 70

66/1

Pulled up in last three starts over hurdles hence a return to the level. Still high enough in the handicap on the flat unless visor has a dramatic effect.

Form: 667146-

Non-Runners

(2)

Echo Brava⁴⁶⁸

Weight: 9-10| Age: 7

T: J & S Best J: T J Murphy

Forecasts

Captain Navarre (11/10), Island Brave (7/2), Rydan (11/2), Continuum (8/1), Royal Reserve (10/1), Echo Brava (12/1), Poyle Thomas (25/1), Aristocles (66/1)

CAPTAIN NAVARRE is one of a pair of hat-trick seekers here and his recent 2m AW form has been excellent and given how he handled a 6lb rise latest he should take another 4lb in his stride today. The decision to step Island Brave up fully 4f despite him winning his last two is interesting and this ex-French trained entire could still have plenty more to come. Also entering the argument is Rydan who ran a much better race last time when upped to 2m for the first time.