16:25 Lingfield

Saturday 24 February 2018

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 2m 33.05s

(6)

Gang Warfare^p,t1⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 93| C| DWS

16/1

Racing over hurdles of late and put in his best effort in that sphere when fourth at Catterick last timeout. Had a wind operation since and making his first Flat appearance in over a year.

Form: 0857/50-

(4)

Royal Reserve^p1¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| C| D

6/1

In good form in the main this winter and ran well to finish runner-up over an extended 1m4f at Newcastle last time. Wears cheekpieces for the first time today.

Form: 391-732

(1)

Island Brave³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: H Main| OR: 91| C| D

13/8

Winner of four of his nine starts on the AW including when winning by 8L over this trip at Wolverhampton last time. Finished a head second to Royal Reserve over 2m here prior to that and he is one to note despite a 10lb rise in the weights.

Form: 09113-1

(2)

Ay Ay⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 88| BF| C

4/1

Successful twice over 1m2f here since being gelded including on his penultimate outing last month. Since finished runner-up here off this 3lb higher mark and stepping up in trip today.

Form: 8166-12

(7)

William Hunter²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Josephine Gordon| T: A King| OR: 82| D

14/1

Placed over hurdles in November but disappointed twice in that sphere since and finished last of seven on his return to the AW at Chelmsford last time. Return to 1m4f looks likely to suit.

Form: 45333-7

(3)

Thaqaffa^h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: J Mitchell| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 81| D

5/1

Completed a hat-trick over 1m3f-1m4f at Kempton when winning there earlier this month. Raised 4lb for that victory and interesting to see how he fares having finished sixth at Chelmsford on Thursday evening.

Form: 735-111

(5)

Fearsome¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: N P Littmoden| OR: 82| CD

7/1

Winner of both of his starts over C&D since joining this stable at the end of October. Saw off a subsequent winner when successful by a nose last time out and one for the shortlist following a 3lb rise in the weights.

Form: 3333-11

Forecasts

Island Brave (13/8), Ay Ay (4/1), Thaqaffa (5/1), Royal Reserve (6/1), Fearsome (7/1), William Hunter (14/1), Gang Warfare (16/1)

The form of FEARSOME'S most recent victory over C&D is working out well and he can maintain his unbeaten record since joining this stable by registering a third success of 2018. The selection receives weight from all of his rivals today and can get the better of Ay Ay who can claim second stepping up to this trip for the first time today. Island Brave has been in good form in recent starts and can finish third on this occasion.