13:05 Lingfield

Sunday 30 December 2018

All11:3012:0012:3013:0513:3514:1014:4015:15

Like Sun Racing On Facebook Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 1m 23.5s

(6)

Kafeel²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 67| CD

16/1

Three of his five wins have come here including at this meeting 12 months ago when he scored over a mile. Outpaced over C&D last time after seven-month break but should be fitter now. Possible better over an extra furlong though.

Form: 11-2150

(11)

Takeonefortheteam¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 66

20/1

Eight-race maiden but went closest over C&D in January when third in tight finish after a usual slow start. Back after six month break so has fitness to prove but may not be far away under decent 3lb claiming apprentice.

Form: 5-23465

(7)

Knockout Blow¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 65

16/1

Ony success in 15 starts came over 5f last September. Hasn't shown much in three starts for current yard since wind op although did a little better last time and has dropped to a fair mark. Worth a market check.

Form: 369806

(4)

Fair Power¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Joey Haynes| T: P Howling| OR: 64

25/1

All three wins have come on turf and is 0-7 on AW. Lost his way since the summer and didn't show much at all on first start for current yard at Kempton a fortnight ago. Dropped 3lb since.

Form: 570008

(10)

Chica De La Noche^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: S Dow| OR: 62| BF| D

7/2

Has won since August 2017 but has run well when placed on each of her last five starts and is only 2lb higher than when failing by just a neck over C&D last month. Sure to be there or thereabouts once again.

Form: 432322

(3)

Conqueress⁴²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: Mrs L Pearce| OR: 62| D

33/1

Only win came in C&D maiden in summer 2016. Not seen since October last year and makes debut for new yard on the back of a 14-month absence. Likely to be better for the run unless market indicates otherwise.

Form: 054298-

(2)

Violet's Lads⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: B R Johnson| OR: 61

5/1

15-race maiden but has been second over C&D three times, including last time out when failing by just a neck after being stopped in her run at a vital stage. Just 1lb higher and won't be far away.

Form: 052282

(1)

Dark Magic^v1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 61| D

4/1

Won Newmarket 7f maiden on only second start but has generally struggled since and has dropped 20lb in handicap. First-time visor fitted now and wasn't disgraced when fourth at Kempton latest. Not without a chance if headgear helps the cause.

Form: 2-09074

(8)

Astrospeed^h²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: George Wood| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 59

3/1

Ex-Irish gelding, one of the yard's lesser lights. Ran well though when second last time on debut for new connections stepping up to this trip. Still unexposed and open to improvement so looks a player.

Form: 53502

(9)

Collate^v¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 55| D

8/1

Won 7f soft ground event in France for previous connections last year but has been mostly disappointing since. Did better latest though in first-time visor when fourth at Kempton and jockey booking suggests fair run anticipated.

Form: 999004

(5)

Foreign Legion⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: N Mackay| T: L McJannet| OR: 45

12/1

Has hinted at a modicum of ability in two handicap starts this month, not disgraced latest when keeping on into fourth at Southwell. 1lb out of the handicap but this well bred gelding gets lots of weight all round.

Form: 08574

Forecasts

Astrospeed (3/1), Chica De La Noche (7/2), Dark Magic (4/1), Violet's Lads (5/1), Collate (8/1), Foreign Legion (12/1), Knockout Blow (16/1), Kafeel (16/1), Takeonefortheteam (20/1), Fair Power (25/1), Conqueress (33/1)

A trappy affair in which ASTROSPEED is given the nod after showing improved form on his debut for James Fanshawe last time on his first try at this trip. Chica De La Noche has been knocking on the door of late and should again be in the thick of it, while Dark Magic is potentially well handicapped. Bottom weight Foreign Legion, Violet's Lads, along with top weight and course specialist Kafeel are others who enter the equation in an open contest.