14:00 Lingfield

Friday 30 March 2018

All13:3014:0014:3015:0515:4016:1016:40

Betway All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes

Off time: 14:04 | Winning time: 3m 24.71s

(5)

Curbyourenthusiasm²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Simcock| OR: 100

20/1

Smart effort when runner-up to Watersmeet over this trip at Kempton two starts back and ran well again when filling the same position last time out while no match for the winner. Not without each-way claims but can be very slowly away.

Form: 86-9322

(4)

Funny Kid^t⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: M Guyon| T: C Ferland

7/2

French raider who has improved this year. Followed up a win at Deauville with a smart second behind Watersmeet at Wolverhampton when last seen but may struggle to reverse the form with that rival who has won twice since.

Form: 21331-2

(8)

Haines^p1⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| D

33/1

Useful handicapper on the AW but not won yet this winter and likely to struggle on these terms. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1695-23

(1)

Lord George^v³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 101| BF| D

10/1

A winner at Kempton two starts back when beating Haines by 2½L but struggled back at that course last time and no match for the winner Watersmeet. No obvious reason why he will reverse the form.

Form: 7424-14

(2)

Red Verdon⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 107| C

3/1

Won a Listed race at Kempton over 1m4f and didn't need to improve when following up here over the same trip last time. Fascinating runner upped in trip but not certain to stay this far given his pedigree.

Form: 26321-1

(6)

Soldier In Action²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 108| D

12/1

Won a handicap at Kempton in November, getting the better of Lord George by ½L. Not as good twice subsequently though, including over this trip last time and he isn't the most consistent sort. Others preferred.

Form: 5641-44

(7)

Watersmeet³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 106| CD

3/1

Game front-runner who will be hard to pass again in four-timer bid. Has three course wins including over C&D two starts back and won more convincingly than the margin suggested when beating Curbyourenthusiasm last time. The one to beat on form.

Form: 023-111

(3)

Rock On Dandy^t,v²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D P Linehan| T: F Birrane| OR: 79| D

66/1

Has won three of his last six starts, all at Dundalk but they came in relatively low grade affairs and this will be much tougher. Hard to fancy.

Form: 115-616

(9)

Mountain Bell¹⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M Beckett| OR: 107| D

4/1

Listed winner at Chester last year and followed up with a placed effort in a Group 3. Back to form with a taking win at Newcastle last time (Watersmeet behind), though they may have gone too hard up front. Not ruled out if she gets a pace to aim at.

Form: 312/441-

Forecasts

Watersmeet (3/1), Red Verdon (3/1), Funny Kid (7/2), Mountain Bell (4/1), Lord George (10/1), Soldier In Action (12/1), Curbyourenthusiasm (20/1), Haines (33/1), Rock On Dandy (66/1)

WATERSMEET has been in fine form on the all-weather this season and he will prove hard to peg back once again given he's beaten several of these rivals already this season. Mountain Bell is one who has managed to get the better of Watersmeet this season and her trainer won this in 2016; the mare is less exposed than many of her rivals and could prove to be the main danger to the selection. Funny Kid is an interesting French raider who is seemingly still improving and can't be dismissed.