14:50 Lingfield

Wednesday 17 January 2018

All12:1012:4013:1013:4014:1514:5015:2015:55

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 2m 47.55s

(6)

Lungarno Palace^v¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: P J McDonald| T: J Gallagher| OR: 63

8/1

Has improved with each run following a lengthy absence and clear signs last time that he was coming to hand. On a career low mark and accustomed to taking on much better company than this.

Form: 353/00-7

(9)

Great Return²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: W Greatrex| OR: 60

11/4

Switch to this yard and a considerably longer trip have yielded significant improvement. Unlucky to bump into a progressive sort last time and obvious claims if a 3f drop in distance works in his favour.

Form: 670532

(8)

Marmion^t1⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: R Winston| T: J L Eyre| OR: 59

10/1

Has proven effective at around this distance in the past but has always looked most comfortable on turf, and therefore could find things difficult here up against more seasoned AW campaigners.

Form: 763990-

(2)

Widnes^t,v²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Fran Berry| T: A Bailey| OR: 61| BF

3/1

16-race maiden who has been sent off favourite on his last two starts when finishing well but to no avail. Capable of opening his account over this extra furlong, but work to do with Sanches on running here last time.

Form: 084562-

(4)

Sky Marshal⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Liam Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 57| C

10/3

Took advantage of a low mark and a longer trip to score over 1m4f here last time with Widnes 2L back. Handicapper has not overreacted and there may be more to come.

Form: 004991-

(5)

Turnbury^p⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 54| C

20/1

Has won here three times and will be better for his recent return to action. Has not won since the summer of 2016, but his current mark suggests it won't belong before he adds to his tally. Good claimer on board and not to be dismissed lightly.

Form: D4348-5

(3)

Sanches²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Dr J R J Naylor| OR: 54| C

13/2

Came good last month to defy odds of 66/1 and a pedigree that questioned the decision to run him over double the trip he was bred for. Comfortably beat three rivals that day (including Widnes), who were a combined 0-50.

Form: 8961-

(1)

Sandacres⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 45

50/1

Has shown little in 13 starts so far and has it all to do stepping up in trip with no guarantee he'll stay the extra yardage from 4lb out of the handicap.

Form: 6/00809-

(7)

Oyster Card^v1⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Appleby| OR: 45

25/1

20-race maiden who has lacked a change of gear. Looks exposed and task is made more difficult by being 4lb out of the weights. Visored first time.

Form: 453687-

Forecasts

Great Return (11/4), Widnes (3/1), Sky Marshal (10/3), Sanches (13/2), Lungarno Palace (8/1), Marmion (10/1), Turnbury (20/1), Oyster Card (25/1), Sandacres (50/1)

Sanches caused an upset here last time but holds Widnes on that form. The latter could improve for the extra furlong and both should be involved, however LUNGARNO PALACE is much better class than these at his best and he appeared to be getting closer to those levels last time. The drop in trip is a concern for Great Return, but Sky Palace won in a blanket finish here last time and the handicapper has taken a generous view of the improvement shown. Turnbury is a course specialist who is dangerously well-handicapped and will strip fitter for his recent return to action.