14:45 Lingfield

Friday 23 February 2018

All14:1014:4515:2015:5016:2517:00

Betway Handicap

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 1m 12.47s

(11)

Mercers^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson⁽⁷⁾| T: P Butler| OR: 59| C| D

20/1

The application of cheek-pieces has certainly been to the benefit of this filly, and she's reunited with the rider that partnered her to a couple of victories last month (5f to 6f). Far from harshly treated, but the wide draw isn't ideal.

Form: 404-115

(7)

Aragon Knight^v¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: M Appleby| OR: 58| C

15/2

Not won for almost two years; 5f here in April 2016, but posted a decent effort over this trip on his second start for this stable at Chelmsford earlier in the month. Easier track will suit if adopting the same tactics.

Form: 3789-03

(4)

Nag's Wag⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Milly Naseb⁽⁷⁾| T: C R Dore| OR: 57| CD

33/1

Has shown she can win races, but a couple of those victories at this track (5f to 6f) were in selling company for George Baker. Not beaten a single rival in her last two starts, but her mark is falling as a result.

Form: 440690-

(3)

Wild Flower²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁷⁾| T: J C Fox| OR: 56| CD

16/1

A short-head C&D winner off this mark for Rossa Ryan in November, she's held her form well enough since without quite hitting the mark. Should run her race, and her riders 7lb claim looks most helpful.

Form: 63144-5

(1)

Krazy Paving^b²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: O Murphy| OR: 54| CD

7/4

A winner over C&D for Anabel Murphy last month, he's now in the care of Olly Murphy. Raised 2lb for a nose defeat of Shelneverwalkalone, he has a chance if able to find a late seam from his inside draw.

Form: 0038-71

(5)

Gorgeous³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: D C Costello| T: A W Carroll| OR: 53

16/1

A fairly lightly raced mare for her age, who returned from 11 months off (from a 12lb higher mark) with a pleasing effort over an inadequate trip at Wolverhampton in November. However, hasn't progressed and needs to bounce back.

Form: 851/24-9

(12)

Malaysian Boleh^v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: P S McEntee| OR: 52| CD

20/1

Veteran who is a winner of 9 races from 88 career starts. Has C&D winning form and is beginning to appear reasonably treated, but is probably strongest at Wolverhampton. Poorly drawn.

Form: 657-039

(2)

Frank The Barber^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Liam Keniry| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 52| C

11/1

Now rated 3lb lower than when winning over 5f here in March, and stays this 6f trip. His latest effort can be excused (too far), and whilst he tends to swish his tail, his low draw is advantageous.

Form: 724-278

(8)

Your Pal Tal⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: Donagh O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: J F Levins| OR: 51| D

7/2

Irish raider who is a five time Dundalk winner (5f to 6f), and was much classier than these horses once upon a time. Not quite made his mark this winter, but his March 2017 ½L defeat by Ken's Sam's marks him down as a player.

Form: 760466-

(10)

Noble Deed^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Kieren Fox| T: M J Attwater| OR: 50| BF| CD

10/1

Doesn't win all that often (2 from 30 on the AW), but has a number of respectable C&D efforts on his CV. More than capable off this lowly mark, and his latest ½L third to Krazy Paving was an improved effort.

Form: 70806-3

(6)

Monarch Maid⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: William Carson| T: P W Hiatt| OR: 48| D

10/1

Broke her AW duck at the 14th attempt when winning a weak 6f Chelmsford handicap earlier this month. The handicapper sensibly didn't over react, and that implies that is probably about as good as she is.

Form: 0-64216

Non-Runners

(9)

Porto Ferro²²

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: J J Bridger J: R Winston

Forecasts

Krazy Paving (7/4), Your Pal Tal (7/2), Aragon Knight (15/2), Porto Ferro (8/1), Monarch Maid (10/1), Noble Deed (10/1), Frank The Barber (11/1), Wild Flower (16/1), Gorgeous (16/1), Malaysian Boleh (20/1), Mercers (20/1), Nag's Wag (33/1)

Another moderate affair, but an interesting enough race nevertheless with the Irish raider Your Pal Tal firmly respected against these rivals. He was far better than these horses once upon a time, and his trainer perhaps sensibly offers him some variety away from Dundalk in a bid to thwart a win-less sequence. Frank The Barber perhaps isn't the most willing conveyance, but he tends to perform well at this track and he merits respect from a low draw, but the tentative selection is NOBLE DEED. He is 2lb better off with his recent C&D conqueror Krazy Paving (since switched to Olly Murphy), and that improved showing represented a clear return to form. His current handicap mark of 50 looks exploitable when you consider that he was twice narrowly denied over this C&D from 11lb higher as recently as April and May 2017.