15:10 Lingfield

Saturday 27 January 2018

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:15

Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 2m 29.79s

(3)

High Secret⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Megan Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 95| D

20/1

Useful dual-purpose performer who returns to the Flat after a couple of ordinary runs over hurdles. Third of seven off this mark at Chelmsford in November and may be high enough in the weights for the time being.

Form: 405/293-

(2)

Ming Dynasty^h²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Botti| OR: 93| D

12/1

French import who has run twice at this track for his current stable. Has dropped 4lb since the first of those outings and may now be ready to make a bolder show under his in-form jockey.

Form: 1/1555-7

(4)

Sam Missile¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 90| D

12/1

Won twice at Kempton when trained by James Fanshawe and two runs for his current yard have seen him perform well at that track over 2m and at Woverhampton over 1m1½f. This trip, over which he has won, may be more suitable and handicap mark is fair.

Form: 5609-42

(7)

Celestial Spheres^p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: C Appleby| OR: 91| CD

6/4

Three wins from nine starts, including the latest over C&D. Has been raised 4lb for that success and looks sure to make a bold bid for a stable which is going well.

Form: 21/5101-

(6)

Grand Inquisitor^p⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 88

12/1

Routed a big field of handicappers at York in October and shaped well off 9lb higher over C&D last time, keeping on well to be third of six despite not getting a clear run. Should be on the premises again.

Form: 34418-3

(5)

Intrepidly⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: J Noseda| OR: 90

11/4

Quite lightly raced with two wins in seven races and had Cosmeapolitan a place behind when fourth of nine over 1m2f at this track last month. This longer distance should suit and jockey booking suggests a bold run is expected.

Form: 1/41704-

(1)

Cosmeapolitan⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 87| D

9/2

Winning hurdler who finished just behind Intrepidly last time and is 1lb worse off. This longer trip will suit and he has each-way claims.

Form: 2/70035-

(8)

Echo Brava⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: M Dwyer| T: J & S Best| OR: 78| CD

100/1

Seven-times winner who returned from 16 months off to finish last of seven at Chelmsford eight days ago. Needs to show more before being considered a betting proposition.

Form: 41524/7

Forecasts

Celestial Spheres (6/4), Intrepidly (11/4), Cosmeapolitan (9/2), Grand Inquisitor (12/1), Ming Dynasty (12/1), Sam Missile (12/1), High Secret (20/1), Echo Brava (100/1)

A trappy middle-distance handicap in which Intrepidly and Cosmeapolitan renew rivalry after finishing fourth and fifth over 1m2f last time. There should be little between them again, while the likes of Ming Dynasty, Sam Missile and Grand Inquisitor will also have their supporters. Preference, though, is for CELESTIAL SPHERES, who won over C&D last time and has every chance off 4lb higher for his in-form stable.