16:20 Lingfield

Wednesday 14 February 2018

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 1m 12.35s

(6)

Pride Of Angels¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 67| BF| CD

13/8

Both AW starts have come over C&D and have produced a win and second. Handicap mark has gone up, but she looks sure to make another bold bid.

Form: 34731-2

(5)

Gold Club²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: L Carter| OR: 67| CD

15/2

All three runs for current stable have been over C&D. Won two starts ago, but went up 2lb to this mark last time and was well held in fifth. May be capable of better.

Form: 83721-5

(7)

Strategic Heights^v¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 65| D

8/1

Usually runs well without getting his head in front and is closely matched with Gold Club on C&D running. Likely to be thereabouts, but lack of a recent success is offputting.

Form: 592-233

(2)

Awesome Allan^v¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Katherine Begley⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 63| D

7/1

Winner of four races on turf, but has yet to finish in the frame in nine outings on the AW. Tried to make all when fourth of nine over 7f at Wolverhampton last time and return to shorter trip looks a plus.

Form: 94-8054

(8)

Bernie's Boy^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 62| C

8/1

Won a novice contest over 5f at this track three starts ago, but has been held in two Chelsmford handicaps since off 2lb higher. Return to this venue is a plus, but others have stronger claims.

Form: 20-3164

(4)

Billyoakes^p⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson⁽⁷⁾| T: C Wallis| OR: 61| CD

5/1

Experienced performer who has a C&D success on his CV but does not win too often. Beaten off this mark on his last four starts and no obvious reason why he should reverse that trend.

Form: 315-303

(9)

Tidal's Baby^b¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Fran Berry| T: A B Joyce| OR: 58| CD

12/1

Four runs since switching to current yard in Ireland and has generally performed with credit. Defeated off this mark on his last two starts at Dundalk and with a career record of 3-72 is not one to put too much faith in for win purposes.

Form: 46238-4

(1)

Prazeres¹⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jane Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Eyre| OR: 58

20/1

Only success in 17 starts came in a 7f Catterick handicap last summer. Last of 14 in a 6f Newcastle handicap in November and needs to do much better following his three-months' break.

Form: 081580-

(3)

Magic Approach¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Mitch Godwin⁽³⁾| T: J J Bridger| OR: 57| D

66/1

Won a 6f Wolverhampton maiden when trained by David Simcock, but was well held in three subsequent handicaps. Returns from a lay-off for a new trainer and is probably best watched.

Form: 61653-

Forecasts

Pride Of Angels (13/8), Billyoakes (5/1), Awesome Allan (7/1), Gold Club (15/2), Bernie's Boy (8/1), Strategic Heights (8/1), Tidal's Baby (12/1), Prazeres (20/1), Magic Approach (66/1)

One or two of these look to be in the grip of the handicapper and while that can be said of top-weight Pride Of Angels, she looks sure to go well along with Gold Club and the consistent, but frustrating Strategic Heights. AWESOME ALLAN has failed to hit the frame in nine AW starts, but has showed enough to suggest he can make his mark on synthetic surfaces and this looks a race in which he should be competitive if he is able to get to the front from his low draw. Bernie's Boy may do best of the rest.