14:55 Lingfield

Saturday 17 February 2018

All12:4013:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:40

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 2m 3.78s

(1)

Man Of Harlech²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 91| CD

12/1

Gained the last of three wins for Andrew Balding over C&D in 2015 from a 4lb higher mark. Lightly-raced since, though signs that he retains ability in two runs over 1m for this yard. Respected back at 1m2f.

Form: 4450/59

(4)

Contrast²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: R Hannon| OR: 91

11/4

Haydock 7f maiden winner in 2016 but just two runs in handicaps last year. Returned from a long absence to finish a close-up sixth over 1m here last month, shaping as though this longer trip is what he needs. Of interest.

Form: 144/67-6

(5)

Easy Tiger¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Georgia Cox⁽³⁾| T: M S Saunders| OR: 89| CD

9/2

Arrives here in search of a third win from his last four starts having twice made all over C&D this winter, most recently off a 3lb lower mark. Vulnerable to improvers but dangerous if able to dictate once again.

Form: 632-141

Towerlands Park²¹

Age: 13| Weight: 9-5| J: Unknown| T: S Durack

Form: 1/303-D5

Solo Hunter¹⁵⁰

Age: 15| Weight: 9-4| J: Unknown| T: M Meade| D

Form: 365/164-

(3)

Ay Ay²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 88| CD

11/8

Not too many miles on the clock and was winning for the third time when defying trouble-in-running to score over C&D last month (Lawless Secret and Easy Tiger behind). Ensuing 3lb rise may not be enough to anchor him.

Form: 58166-1

(2)

Lawless Secret^h¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Ryan Powell| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 87| BF| D

5/1

Yet to add to a debut victory at Windsor last summer but has placed in six of her seven subsequent runs, including over this C&D last time when a 1¼L behind Easy Tiger. A 3lb turnaround may not be quite enough.

Form: 329-323

Armandihan¹¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 8-13| J: Unknown| T: K A Ryan

Form: 217724-

Rainbow Rebel³⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 8-13| J: Unknown| T: C & M Johnston| D

Form: 42743-7

Laqab¹⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 8-8| J: Unknown| T: D Shaw| D

Form: 21/57-6

Forecasts

Ay Ay (11/8), Contrast (11/4), Easy Tiger (9/2), Lawless Secret (5/1), Man Of Harlech (12/1)

AY AY didn't enjoy the smoothest of passages when defeating both Lawless Secret and Easy Tiger over C&D last month and it would be no surprise to see him confirm the form on these revised terms. The bigger danger may emerge in the shape of the lightly-raced CONTRACT who caught the eye on his return from a lengthy absence over 1m last month, keeping on in a manner which suggests he needs this longer trip. Assuming that blow-out has brought him on, his current mark looks there to be exploited.