14:55 Lingfield

Saturday 10 February 2018

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:35

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Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 1m 36.87s

(8)

My Target²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: M Wigham| OR: 98| CD

8/1

Excellent 5 from 5 over C&D last winter pushing his rating up by 18lb in the process. Not in same form this time around but has been dropped a hefty 7lb and may be back to a competitive mark. Worth noting any market move.

Form: 7700-43

(10)

Leader Writer¹³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Fran Berry| T: H Spiller| OR: 97| D

7/1

Three wins in France and got off the mark for present connections when landing decent 1m Ascot handicap last September. Off since finishing down the field in the Cambridgeshire but has gone well fresh in the past. Interesting.

Form: 630310-

(3)

Cote d'Azur¹²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: J L Eyre| OR: 95| D

10/3

Fine third in the Cambridgeshire at HQ on penultimate start last term. Last winning A/W mark 22lb lower than today so appears to face a stiff task after four months off.

Form: 606730-

(7)

Chevallier¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 91| CD

6/1

Raised 3lb for good win over C&D two weeks ago. Clearly in good heart at present, yard in fine form so rates a danger to all in current form.

Form: 8520-81

(2)

Poet's Society¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89

4/1

Stayed on well to score over 7f Chelmsford last time, but although has run creditably of late over this trip the jury is out as to whether he will really stay in a strongly run race. Others make more appeal.

Form: 080-521

(6)

The Warrior¹¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Joey Haynes| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 89| D

7/1

119 day absence to overcome but has won first-time out after a break. Ran two fine races over 1m on A/W at the end of last term and is a genuine sort who will run his race.

Form: 744242-

(4)

Forceful Appeal²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 8-9| J: Levi Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 87| CD

25/1

14-time winner who belied his years when springing 33/1 shock in A/W Championship apprentice race last spring. Not in same form this winter and young rider has yet to ride a winner so appears up against it this time.

Form: 04800-3

(9)

Franco's Secret^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: M Dwyer| T: P Hedger| OR: 86| CD

16/1

Was busy last winter scoring twice, including over C&D. Looked rusty on return from 10-month break recently but may do better and is one of the livelier outsiders.

Form: 11292-0

(5)

Medici Banchiere²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: K R Burke| OR: 78

9/1

Not certain to get the trip at this level and probably flattered by going so close in four-runner affair latest. Gets plenty of weight though and yard always respected.

Form: 6479-52

Non-Runners

(11)

Mr Scaramanga²⁹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: S Dow J: Tom Marquand

(1)

Towerlands Park¹⁴

Weight: 8-11| Age: 5

T: S Durack J: M Harley

Forecasts

Cote d'Azur (10/3), Poet's Society (4/1), Towerlands Park (4/1), Chevallier (6/1), Leader Writer (7/1), The Warrior (7/1), Mr Scaramanga (7/1), My Target (8/1), Medici Banchiere (9/1), Franco's Secret (16/1), Forceful Appeal (25/1)

This is a good handicap with plenty in with a chance. CHEVALLIER ticks most of the boxes in his current form and is taken to continue his trainer's fine spell. Mr Scaramanga, Leader Writer, and The Warrior all have solid claims and are expected to be in the thick of the action, and Franco's Secret cannot be ruled out despite a modest run last time. He should strip fitter for that outing.