14:55 Lingfield

Wednesday 19 December 2018

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

Betway Stayers Handicap

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 3m 25.27s

(5)

Veiled Secret^b1,t²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: D C Costello| T: David Dennis| OR: 75

25/1

Not seen on the Flat since a close third over C&D in October 2017, and while he has claims on that form, he's lost his way since switched to hurdles, and two recent efforts in that sphere have been shocking. Blinkered now.

Form: 613653-

(10)

Kyoto Star⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: A Kirby| T: H Spiller| OR: 74

6/1

Showed little on first two starts (in France for debut), but massively improved when winning a 1m4f novice at Newcastle last month. Unexposed starting out in handicaps, and one to be interested in.

Form: 0-61

(9)

Tidal Watch³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Fran Berry| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 73| D

9/4

Landed a hat-trick over hurdles in July before run ended at Worcester, and translated that form back to the Flat when second at Kempton last month. Another solid run over timber since, and should be competitive again.

Form: 7-52262

(8)

Sebastian's Wish²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Jason Watson| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 73| D

25/1

Picked up four races in 2017, but not been seeing things out this year, including after wind surgery at Wolverhampton last month. Could do better on second run back, as is often the case for those having breathing ops, so not dismissed.

Form: 38-9640

(4)

East Indies⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 71| D

25/1

Poor effort here when last seen on the Flat, but was shaping up well when falling heavily over hurdles at Kempton in October. May need this as a means to restore his confidence, and others preferred now.

Form: 06/68-00

(11)

Falcon Cliffs¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: A W Carroll| OR: 68| C

14/1

Not won since her debut, but competitive on form, and did well enough when second in a match over hurdles last time to think she can play a part here, for all she's not one for maximum confidence.

Form: 565485

(3)

Dance To Paris^b¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: L Wadham| OR: 73| D

5/1

has shown improved form since switching to handicaps and going up in trip, albeit disappointing at Pontefract in September. Won on hurdles debut before tackling Listed company last time, and should be a player back on the level on that evidence.

Form: 842-423

(2)

Ardamir⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Liam Jones| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 65

6/1

On an extensive losing run since scoring over hurdles in February 2016, and while he has bits of form that make him look fairly treated, he's simply not one to trust, and a good third over hurdles last time is no sign he'll run well again.

Form: 652269

(6)

Sir Pass I Am¹⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 62| D

12/1

Won at Chepstow off an 8lb lower mark in May last year. Beaten a long way on first two runs this season for Andrew Balding, but fared a bit better at Ffos Las in July, and possibilities if freshened up by a change of stable.

Form: 176-806

(1)

Fix Up Look Sharp⁷³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: F Sweeney| T: Miss S West| OR: 59

14/1

Last seen in this sphere for Jamie Poulton in 2016, and showed little over hurdles on sole outing for Mark Hoad later that year. Plenty to prove for new yard after a long absence.

Form: 59843/

(12)

Nafaayes^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: M Dwyer| T: Jean-Rene Auvray| OR: 59| CD

5/1

Bred to be smart, but has taken time to make an impact. Has improved on last two starts over C&D, though, winning an amateur handicap last time. Only 2lb higher, and should continue to run well.

Form: 459021

Non-Runners

(7)

Masters Apprentice⁹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: S Kirk J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Tidal Watch (9/4), Dance To Paris (5/1), Nafaayes (5/1), Ardamir (6/1), Kyoto Star (6/1), Masters Apprentice (10/1), Sir Pass I Am (12/1), Falcon Cliffs (14/1), Fix Up Look Sharp (14/1), East Indies (25/1), Sebastian's Wish (25/1), Veiled Secret (25/1)

NAFAAYES has improved here of late, and is just 2lb higher than when winning an amateur handicap over C&D last time. She's bred in the purple, and may simply be a late developer, so is taken to progress again and may have too much for Newcastle winner Kyoto Star who makes his handicap debut and is also open to improvement. Tidal Watch and Dance to Paris are others with claims.