15:40 Lingfield

Saturday 15 September 2018

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:30

Happy Birthday Rob Gladdis Handicap (AW)

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 1m 23.06s

(5)

Areen Heart^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: M Harley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| D

6/1

On a fair mark if recapturing his best but below par for much of the season and constant changing of headgear is a worry. Has to prove his effectiveness on this surface too, and overall there's too many risks with him at present.

Form: 135645

(6)

Saluti²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 83| D

9/2

Often travels strongly in his races, as was the case again at Newbury last time out but doesn't always put it in when push comes to shove. Quicker they go on the front the better his chances, but will need to be produced at the right time.

Form: 114780

(3)

Dark Profit^v1⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Fran Berry| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 82| D

9/1

Three times a winner last year but yet to recapture that form in two starts this, although has possibly needed those runs to achieve fitness. On a fair mark if he can bounce back though, and handles the surface, so one to monitor in the market.

Form: 1610-79

(2)

Dark Alliance³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Edward Greatrex| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 80| C| D

16/1

Only 2lb higher than last win in March but efforts since then mixed, to say the least, and hard to know what to expect here. Trip probably short enough for him these days and percentage call is to pass him over.

Form: 310296

(7)

Mamillius²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S W Kelly| T: George Baker| OR: 78| BF| D

10/1

Run of paced efforts at Brighton not quite as good as it looks, well beaten third of four latest and although he handles this surface and trip is fine, could be that the handicapper has him where he wants him at present.

Form: 213333

(8)

Zalshah^p⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 82| D

3/1

Can be keen in his races and needs dropping out at the back more often than not, capable enough when it falls right for him, as he showed when winning from a 2lb lower mark in May but overall strike rate (2-23) is offputting.

Form: 641530

(1)

Burford Brown¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: P Cosgrave| T: H Palmer| OR: 77| D

11/4

Didn't need to improve to take a Newcastle maiden last time out but does at least look mildly progressive, which counts for something, and might be a bit more straightforward than a few of these. Could go on again from that win.

Form: 8-42731

(4)

Connaught Ranger²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: George Wood| T: D J Coakley| OR: 77| C

10/1

His defeat of the progressive Protected Guest here last year reads well now, and he probably needed the run at Newbury last time after an absence. Ought to have more improvement in him and hard to discount totally.

Form: 5513-0

Forecasts

Burford Brown (11/4), Zalshah (3/1), Saluti (9/2), Areen Heart (6/1), Dark Profit (9/1), Mamillius (10/1), Connaught Ranger (10/1), Dark Alliance (16/1)

A race that's rather begging to be taken by the scruff of the neck, as not many of these will want to lead, and on that a chance is taken on BURFORD BROWN, who was only beaten a length when trying to make all at Leicester two starts ago and then got a win on the board at Newcastle last time. That should have done his confidence good and he can go on from it. Connaught Ranger has a very good run to his name here and if stripping fitter for a recent run, would be a big danger. Dark Profit is worth a look in the market for a yard with a 14% strike rate here.