15:30 Lingfield

Saturday 17 February 2018

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 1m 10.48s

(7)

Early Morning³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 100| C

4/1

Clearly likes it here, notching two wins (1m and 7f) and a second (7f) from only three attempts. In great form this winter, as evidenced by his recent second here off today's mark but something to prove on first attempt at 6f.

Form: 80013-2

(4)

Von Blucher^p⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: R Menzies| OR: 98| C

5/2

Turf strike-rate isn't great (1 win from 17) but proving more effective on the AW, having made it 2 from 2 when scoring over 7f at Newcastle last time out from a 2lb lower mark. First attempt at 6f.

Form: 30290-1

(8)

Reckless Endeavour⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 96| BF| D

12/1

Four-time winner when trained in Ireland, including twice over 6f on the AW at Dundalk, but just found wanting in six runs for this yard off similar marks this winter. Looks vulnerable once again from a wide draw.

Form: 353-734

(2)

Reflektor³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 92| CD

5/1

Three-time turf winner over sprint trips and produced his best AW performance when gamely making all over C&D last time out, despite having had to work hard from a wide draw. Better boxed now, so 2lb rise may not stop him.

Form: 13088-1

(6)

Make Music³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Watson⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 89| BF| CD

7/1

All four wins have come at this venue, three of them on the AW track, including one over this C&D (only attempt). Two solid efforts in defeat over 7f here since returning from a lengthy absence but no margin for error.

Form: 51424-3

(3)

Compas Scoobie^h,t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Fran Berry| T: S C Williams| OR: 89| D

10/1

Produced some solid form over 6f early last season, winning at Wolverhampton, but has raced exclusively over 5f since (winning twice on turf). Mark looks fair and of some interest back over 6f after failing to handle fibresand latest.

Form: 505-348

(1)

Kasbah⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 88| CD

4/1

Hasn't won since taking a C&D handicap early last year from a much higher mark. Also ran well when only ½L adrift of Reflektor over C&D in January but has taken two backward steps since. A danger if putting best foot forward, however.

Form: 062-345

Shamsaya²⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 8-7| J: Unknown| T: S & E Crisford| D

Form: 4652-13

(5)

Nautical Haven⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 83| D

9/2

Lightly-raced since landing a York maiden at two but signs that another win isn't far off with three successive second-place efforts over 6f on the AW this winter. Likes to attack from the front and should be heavily involved.

Form: 00/72-22

Shamshon⁹

Age: 15| Weight: 8-0| J: Unknown| T: S C Williams

Form: 348-546

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 20p in the pound

Forecasts

Von Blucher (5/2), Kasbah (4/1), Early Morning (4/1), Nautical Haven (9/2), Reflektor (5/1), Make Music (7/1), Compas Scoobie (10/1), Reckless Endeavour (12/1)

Another wide-open contest but there are grounds for again siding with REFLEKTOR who had Kasbah just behind in third when gamely making all from a wide draw in a similar contest here last month. Better drawn in stall two now, Tom Dascombe's gelding is perfectly positioned to attack from the front once again and a 2lb rise may not prevent him from repelling all challengers. Von Blucher is unbeaten on the AW and, though untried over this shorter distance, should benefit from the likely strong pace, as should fellow trip-dropper Early Morning.