14:00 Lingfield

Saturday 3 February 2018

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:0515:4016:15

Betway Cleves Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 1m 9.13s

(6)

Caspian Prince^h,t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 111

20/1

Real speedy type who went close to breaking the Newcastle 5f track record at the start of the year. This 6f is likely to stretch him though especially as he may face competition for the lead and he only finished in midfield on his last try over C&D.

Form: 41405-1

(1)

Double Up^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: R Varian| OR: 100| BF| CD

9/2

C&D winner who bounced back to his best form off a break at Kempton in November over 6f although he did enjoy the run of the race. Not seen to best effect last time out (caught wide) when favourite at Wolverhampton but better drawn here.

Form: 84/5214-

(8)

Gracious John³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Fran Berry| T: P D Evans| OR: 105| C| D

25/1

Another in this field that likes go from the front and he's shown some good form around here most recently when winning a handicap of 101 in December. Followed that up with another win at Wolverhampton but well below that form last time at Newcastle behind Caspian Prince.

Form: 51511-7

(10)

Gulliver^p,t³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 95| C| D

20/1

Cheekpieces added to a tongue-tie appeared to be the catalyst for the improvement that he showed when running up a handicap hat-trick in October/November. Two subsequent runs weren't quite of the same quality and this looks a tougher test again.

Form: 211172-

(7)

Ice Age¹²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 101| D

16/1

Admirable sort who went from strength to strength last year topping off his season by completing a hat-trick in handicaps. Now back on the AW for the first time in ages and deserves his chance at this level but may need to find some more progress to take a hand.

Form: 471113-

(12)

Intisaab^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: M Harley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 105| BF| D

16/1

Got back to winning ways when taking a Class 2 conditions race at Wolverhampton over 6f proving that he's a very good AW sprinter. Behind Caspian Prince last time out at Newcastle over 5f and a return to this trip will suit far better although a wide draw won't help.

Form: 64421-4

(11)

Kachy¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 105| CD

6/4

Went close to lowering the course record over 6f here recently but won't find it easy to dominate this field from a wide draw. That form did look as though he was back to his best but it was his first start in a handicap for quite some while and this will prove tougher.

Form: 50202-1

(5)

Kimberella³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 109| CD

10/1

Winner of the AW Sprint Championship last season and looks to be heading in that direction again and he did look as though he needed the run behind three of these at Wolverhampton. That should have sharpened him up and he could have this run to suit on a course he likes.

Form: 018487-

(3)

Lancelot Du Lac^h¹⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 107| CD

6/1

Twice a C&D winner who also took the Stewards Cup last year he's not been seen since finishing midfield in the Portland at Doncaster. Well up to winning at this level he goes well fresh (won twice first time out) and his yard are in good form.

Form: 240150-

(2)

Mythmaker²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Smart| OR: 105| CD

9/1

Another of the C&D winners in the field who got back to winning ways at Kempton last time out in what turned out to be a race run at a muddling pace. He's entitled to take his place in this grade although he may just be found wanting at the business end.

Form: 12723-1

(9)

Royal Birth^h,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Aaron Jones| T: S C Williams| OR: 102| C

25/1

Has a tricky draw to overcome but his best races have been run when he's come late off a strong pace and he may get that set-up here. He raced too freely last time out but does need to settle better and progress some more to take a hand in this.

Form: 5682-42

(4)

Princess Asta^b1⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Alexander Pietsch| T: M Hofer| D

50/1

A winner of two Listed races in her native Germany last year both over 6f she's the unknown quantity here. She has finished second on the AW in France so this surface won't be a total surprise but she faces a tough enough test here and is best watched unless the market speaks.

Form: 511274-

Forecasts

Kachy (6/4), Double Up (9/2), Lancelot Du Lac (6/1), Mythmaker (9/1), Kimberella (10/1), Intisaab (16/1), Ice Age (16/1), Caspian Prince (20/1), Gulliver (20/1), Royal Birth (25/1), Gracious John (25/1), Princess Asta (50/1)

A very good race that would do justice to a higher level than the Listed status that this race has and it should be one run a fierce gallop with the likes of Kachy and Caspian Prince in the field and both of those like to go forward. Lancelot Du Lac took this last year and he’s given maximum respect again especially as he’s proved himself when he’s fresh. Intisaab is another that should be thrown in to mix along with Kimberella who will appreciate this strong pace. All in all though it may be best to side with DOUBLE UP who showed his best on his penultimate run and was undone by his track position last time at Wolverhampton; he’s well drawn here to track the strong pace and pounce late.