13:30 Lingfield

Monday 10 December 2018

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:00

Careers At Racetech racetech.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 6m 35.80s

Pink Gin^t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: M D Grant| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 106| D

13/2

None from eight over fences but twice a winner on testing conditions over hurdles and made a pleasing start to this campaign when running on for fourth at Exeter and only beaten 1½L (3m). Handicapper again helps and genuine chance now.

Form: 2F7P5-4

How's My Friend²⁷⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J G Cann| OR: 103| D

25/1

Went the best part of six years without a win until completing a somewhat unlikely hat-trick at Towcester to end last season. Raised a total of 16lb during the run so tough task now especially at his age but will relish the conditions.

Form: 622111-

For Carmel^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson| OR: 101| D

3/1

Ran well twice over C&D on heavy ground last season before gaining first chase success to end the season at Newton Abbot over 2m5f where he won well by 8L. 7lb higher now after midfield hurdles start but genuine claims with ground ideal.

Form: 22P81-6

Tzar De L'Elfe²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: A Glassonbury| T: R Rowe| OR: 101

11/2

2m4f winner on soft ground at Sandown last March but soundly beaten next twice and again failed to show best form in two runs this season. Softer ground here will likely help but risky proposition nevertheless.

Form: 8148-69

Very Live^p,t²⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: P R Webber| OR: 95| C

10/1

Just the four runs last term but second in three of them over 2m4f with the only exception when pulled-up over C&D in similar conditions to the forecast here. Pulled-up twice previously over 3m also so stamina doubts are huge.

Form: UU/22P2-

Pray For A Rainbow¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Adrian Heskin| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 92| CD

7/2

2m7f heavy ground winner here over hurdles has only raced once over fences since returning from a spell in point-to-points when second at Bangor in May (3m, good). Second after a break latest back over hurdles and genuine chance now ground ideal.

Form: 13-3242

Big Time Frank²⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: P Gundry| OR: 82| BF

10/1

Managed a couple of fair thirds in second and third starts over fences at Towcester before being tailed off next at Wincanton to close last season. Less exposed than some but good bit more required overall.

Form: 63P334-

Burgess Dream⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: David Noonan| T: Miss A M Newton-Smith| OR: 78| CD

9/1

Dual course winner over hurdles on heavy over 2m7f and gained first chase win in final start of last season at Fontwell. Pulled-up some way out on return at Plumpton but still has potential off lower mark over fences.

Form: 33381-P

Snowball²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: D W P Arbuthnot| OR: 73| D

14/1

Soft ground winner at Towcester over 3m½f in February 2017 but seven races since all seen him unplaced including recent fifth on return at Plumpton. 4lb out of the handicap here and looks up against it.

Form: 44P74-5

Forecasts

For Carmel (3/1), Pray For A Rainbow (7/2), Tzar De L'Elfe (11/2), Pink Gin (13/2), Burgess Dream (9/1), Big Time Frank (10/1), Very Live (10/1), Snowball (14/1), How's My Friend (25/1)

PRAY FOR A RAINBOW is relatively unexposed over fences but this course winner on heavy ground over hurdles made a pleasing return over the smaller obstacles last month and with that run under his belt he could be ready to gain a first chase win here. Pink Gin is certainly a danger after a similarly positive return but lugging such a welter burden round on this ground will be no easy task. For Carmel is another on the shortlist with proven form over C&D on heavy ground.