15:00 Lingfield

Friday 16 March 2018

All13:0013:4014:2015:0015:4016:2017:00

Cheltenham Festival Betting At Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 2m 30.43s

(1)

Island Brave²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: H Main| OR: 94| CD

7/2

Advanced his record to five wins from 10 AW starts when getting up late to defeat Royal Reserve by a neck over C&D last time out. Remains unbeaten over this trip and a further 3lb rise may not be enough to stop him.

Form: 9113-11

(4)

Keep In Line²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: A King| OR: 93| D

16/1

Former three-time winner for Godolphin who landed his first two starts over hurdles for this yard before losing his way slightly. Underwhelming at Kempton last month when returned to the Flat. More needed.

Form: 31700/8

(5)

Azari²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: L P Keniry| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 91| D

25/1

Joined this yard for £16,000 in January having enjoyed a good summer for Tom Dascombe, scoring twice over 1m4f. Form took a turn for the worse during the autumn but recent comeback hinted at a possible revival.

Form: 12080-7

(6)

Snowy Winter^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Watson| OR: 91| D

5/1

Enjoyed a prolific spell on the AW towards the end of last year, winning four times, but mark has shot up as a result, and has just been found wanting the last twice. No margin for error.

Form: 1151-33

(8)

Amazing Red¹⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 89| D

8/1

Looked suited by a test of stamina when winning over 1m4f at Newmarket (soft) in the summer and not disgraced off higher marks towards the end of the year. Entitled to respect on reappearance, though remains unproven on the AW.

Form: 691924-

(2)

Regicide²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 89| CD

9/4

Lightly-raced since winning a maiden here 11 months ago and took a huge step forward when winning impressively over C&D on his reappearance last month. Subsequent 7lb rise may underestimate him and he is shortlist material.

Form: 12685-1

(7)

Shabbah¹⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: J Tuite| OR: 87

12/1

Recorded a hat-trick for Sir Michael Stoute in 2016 but the handicapper seemingly caught up with him last season. Has changed yards since and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of him on his return for a new yard.

Form: 04/4802-

(9)

Koeman²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: M R Channon| OR: 85| CD

10/1

Progressed well last season, winning three times at around this trip, including over this C&D. Encouraging reappearance when third at Kempton last month and likely to build on that. Should be in the mix.

Form: 33188-3

(3)

Fearsome²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Fran Berry| T: N P Littmoden| OR: 82| CD

12/1

Finished third in all four maidens when with Ralph Beckett and hit the target in his first two starts for this yard over C&D. Signs the handicapper may have caught up with him when a 3L fifth behind Island Brave last time.

Form: 333-115

(10)

Miss Minuty⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 77| C

16/1

Winner of three of her six starts since returning from a break including twice on this track over shorter. Below par here last time out, however, and is winless from seven previous attempts at this trip.

Form: 1-14139

Forecasts

Regicide (9/4), Island Brave (7/2), Snowy Winter (5/1), Amazing Red (8/1), Koeman (10/1), Fearsome (12/1), Shabbah (12/1), Keep In Line (16/1), Miss Minuty (16/1), Azari (25/1)

There was a lot to like about the authoritative manner of REGICIDE'S reappearance victory over C&D and, though James Fanshawe's gelding has more on his plate from 7lb higher in a better race, he could be one to follow in the short-term. Island Brave continues to thrive and a 3lb rise for last month's C&D victory shouldn't prevent another big run whilst Azari may offer some each-way value.