13:25 Lingfield

Saturday 20 January 2018

All12:2012:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:4016:10

Betway Live Casino Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 13:28 | Winning time: 2m 5.69s

(5)

Rock Icon^h⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Harry Burns⁽⁷⁾| T: J Hughes| OR: 65

3/1

Back for a second spell with Jo Hughes and 2-3 in her care. Overcame a poor draw to bolt up last week, but he appeared not to stay this far five weeks ago for previous yard.

Form: 58/135-1

(10)

Broughtons Story¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: S Donohoe| T: P J McBride| OR: 61| D

5/1

Landed a couple for Henry Spiller during the autumn and showed last time that can compete from his new mark and on an AW surface. In better form than most in this and has to go on the shortlist.

Form: 81514-3

(2)

Betsalottie⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Mitch Godwin⁽³⁾| T: J J Bridger| OR: 60| CD

7/2

Gained a second course success last week but that has earned him a 5lb rise in the weights. That takes him into territory where he has proved less effective.

Form: 1254-71

(4)

Attain²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 59| CD

13/2

Fourth in this last year off 6lb higher. Third to an improving type off this mark three runs ago and valid excuses since. Four-time C&D winner who looks set to be thereabouts again and with Estibadaad's guarantee of a decent pace a major plus.

Form: 877336-

(7)

Bloodsweatandtears²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: Kieren Fox| T: W J Knight| OR: 58

8/1

Finished ahead of Rock Icon here on penultimate start, but that rival has changed yard and improved since, whereas he has produced a disappointing effort. Tackles this trip for the first time in more than four years and 0-28 on AW tracks.

Form: 933936-

(1)

Estibdaad^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: P Butler| OR: 57| CD

8/1

Front-runner won for the first time in almost two years when gaining a seventh AW success at Chelmsford. Had the run of the race that day and he is in danger of setting this race up for better handicapped rivals who want a good pace to aim at.

Form: 466105-

(11)

Monday Club^b³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 55| D

16/1

Only win in 18 starts came in a seller 20 months ago. Well-handicapped on some pieces of form, but best efforts have come on slower ground and he was well beaten on his sole visit here.

Form: 5122/68-

(6)

Unsuspected Girl^t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: J M Bradley| OR: 55| D

25/1

Victorious in a 1m2f claimer at Windsor (good-to-soft) in October but well held in three starts since joining this yard and others make more appeal

Form: 801078-

(8)

Venetian Proposal^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: K T O'Neill| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 54

12/1

Has been running to a consistent level despite a hefty rise for her success on turf here in July. Only needs to run to that standard to be involved again and a drop in the weights could produce even more.

Form: 18333-6

(3)

Sharp Operator^h⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: C Wallis| OR: 45

25/1

Has been going nowhere fast for some while now and has done no better on first starts for new yard. Hood back on but hard to fancy.

Form: 8/4090-8

(9)

Tilsworth Lukey¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Gina Mangan⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 45

50/1

Eight-race maiden who has yet to make the frame. Well beaten at 100/1 on handicap debut and his chances look bleak.

Form: 08655-8

Forecasts

Rock Icon (3/1), Betsalottie (7/2), Broughtons Story (5/1), Attain (13/2), Bloodsweatandtears (8/1), Estibdaad (8/1), Venetian Proposal (12/1), Monday Club (16/1), Sharp Operator (25/1), Unsuspected Girl (25/1), Tilsworth Lukey (50/1)

A trappy looking contest with Rock Icon's success last week achieved in impressive style. Jo Hughes has clearly found more in the short time since he rejoined her ranks, but it remains open to doubt as to whether he will stay this far. A similar remark applies to Bloodsweatandtears, whilst there are doubts Betsalottie can follow up last week's success from this new mark. Venetian Proposal has been running consistently well and holds strong claims of a place at least. Broughton's Story is another expected to go close, but this looks a good opportunity for ATTAIN to gain a sixth course victory. Archie Watson's veteran was unlucky to bump into the improving Sky Marshall here last month and he has been involved in a slowly run race since. His young rider may have chosen an unwise route up the inside last time and compensation awaits in a race that should be run at a truer pace.