13:50 Lingfield

Wednesday 19 December 2018

All11:4012:1012:4013:1513:5014:2514:5515:25

Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 1m 12.23s

(11)

Indian Affair^b,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Kerrie Raybould⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Bradley| OR: 60| CD

14/1

Nine-time winner from 125 starts, the last of which came off 9lb higher at Wolverhampton in February. Hinted at a revival on penultimate start, and while disappointing at same track last time, he can't be ignored at this lowly level.

Form: 568840

(9)

Tawaafoq¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: M Quinn| OR: 60| CD

6/1

Won off 2lb lower over C&D in April, but largely disappointing of late. Possibly needed the run after a break last time, and not a huge surprise to see him fare better now.

Form: 583500

(5)

Little Miss Lilly^v²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Amelia Glass⁽⁷⁾| T: C G Cox| OR: 59

7/1

Won under this rider over 5f at Kempton in October, but below that form on both starts since, and that win is looking something of a standout at present.

Form: 009175

(8)

The Special One^h⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Grace McEntee⁽⁷⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 59

18/1

Was running fairly well for Ali Stronge in the spring, but soundly beaten on sole outing for Henry Spiller after a break, and moved to current yard for just 800 gns earlier this month, which doesn't inspire confidence.

Form: 33-2449

(1)

Mercers^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Watson| T: P Butler| OR: 57| C| D

10/1

Placed over 5f here in October, but form has regressed since, and she ran a stinker when tried in a hood here last time. Can do better in a change of headgear, but risky.

Form: 163480

(7)

Billyoakes^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: C Wallis| OR: 57| CD

7/1

Back below his last winning mark, but he's not shaped as if in any sort of form in three runs after a break this winter, and hard to support with confidence in current mood.

Form: 564989

(4)

Holdenhurst⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 57| D

8/1

No solid form this year until an improved effort at Kempton last time, when holding every chance until weakening late. Not certain to back that up, but not ruled out if doing so.

Form: 270-906

(10)

Swiss Cross⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd| T: P S McEntee| OR: 56| CD

3/1

Out of sorts for a while, but shaped much better when fourth of 11 to Declamation over 7f here last time, kicking clear before being outstayed. That suggests he's back in form, and he looks well handicapped now.

Form: 618774

(12)

Wotamadam⁴⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: M Dwyer| T: D K Ivory| OR: 55

33/1

No solid form to date, and failed to do any better when switched to handicaps last time. That run came in October 2017, and lengthy absence does nothing to enhance her claims.

Form: 0600-

(2)

Sugar Plum Fairy⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Nicola Currie| T: A W Carroll| OR: 51| BF| D

12/1

Standout effort when winning a 5½f handicap at Bath on penultimate start, but reverted to type when well held last time, and needs to prove that effort wasn't a fluke.

Form: 796818

(6)

Captain Ryan¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: G Deacon| OR: 48| D

6/1

On a long losing run, and while he ran very well when third at Kempton last month, he typically failed to build on that at Chelmsford last time, and he remains easy enough to oppose for win purposes.

Form: 369530

Non-Runners

(3)

Catheadans Fury¹⁵

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: M R Bosley J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Swiss Cross (3/1), Catheadans Fury (3/1), Captain Ryan (6/1), Tawaafoq (6/1), Billyoakes (7/1), Little Miss Lilly (7/1), Holdenhurst (8/1), Mercers (10/1), Sugar Plum Fairy (12/1), Indian Affair (14/1), The Special One (18/1), Wotamadam (33/1)

In the absence of Catheadans Fury, this can go to the veteran SWISS CROSS, who was much better than the result last time, and has fallen to a lenient mark. None of the others are especially solid, but Indian Affair and Tawafoq are both fairly treated on the pick of this year's efforts, and usually race in more competitive company than this.