12:45 Lingfield

Monday 31 December 2018

All11:4012:1012:4513:1513:5014:2014:5515:25

sunracing.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 1m 22.42s

(12)

Swift Approval¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 85| CD

8/1

On a 16-race losing streak since his C&D win here in January but some sound efforts along the way in fairness and often in stronger contests than this. Lowest mark for over two years and not much to find after fair fourth here last time.

Form: 0046V4

(11)

Spare Parts⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Nicola Currie| T: P S McEntee| OR: 85| CD

28/1

C&D winner in January won three time since on AW surfaces. Not at best in last three races but handicap now only 2lb below latest win so chances if he recaptures best form.

Form: 589878

(8)

Boy In The Bar^v¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: K T O'Neill| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| D

13/2

Chelmsford winner in September made the frame last twice and only just touched off latest at Newcastle over 7f. Upped 2lb for that but arrives in good form so sure to run another solid race.

Form: 301632

(2)

Documenting³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: K Frost| OR: 84| D

3/1

Lightly raced 7f Wolverhampton maiden winner yet to make the frame in subsequent handicaps but not beaten far into sixth latest. Tendency to race keenly is his Achilles heel.

Form: 166056

(4)

Silca Mistress²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 84| CD

6/1

Won four times this year including her last two both here over first 6f and latest 7f. Handicapper raises the stakes again but in current form her winning run may not yet be ready to end.

Form: 422711

(6)

Sword Exceed^p1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Joey Haynes| T: I Furtado| OR: 83| CD

18/1

C&D winner in January but not fired yet in three races since a summer break and well behind rivals here last twice. Cheekpieces tried here but will need to make sizable difference.

Form: 0-18489

(3)

Diocles Of Rome⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: R M Beckett| OR: 83| D

7/2

Best run this summer lone AW start and had an autumn break and gelding operation after which he's two from two at Kempton over 7f. Surface here expected to suit just as well and in current form he rates a leading contender.

Form: 242611

(5)

Al Asef²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: M Botti| OR: 82

12/1

5f AW two-year-old winner made late headway over 6f at Kempton latest in first race since August. Very much looked worth a crack at this trip there and highly respected now.

Form: 61-4404

(10)

Shyron¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: G G Margarson| OR: 78| CD

16/1

Four-time C&D winner ran respectably enough latest after a 182-day break when midfield here. Come on plenty for that and certainly capable off this sort of mark if close to his best.

Form: 677806

(1)

Apex King⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: M Harley| T: D Loughnane| OR: 78| D

11/2

Listed two-year-old winner not scored since and out of sorts last twice after a good run in the summer. Capable if new yard can recapture his best form with this mark certainly within range.

Form: 232597

(9)

Seprani²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Watson| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 73| C

50/1

Dual course winner at 6f has sent some mixed messages in her time over this trip but has some decent form over it although all her best efforts come wearing headgear which is off today.

Form: 271479

(7)

In The Red^b¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: Martin Smith| OR: 72| CD

25/1

Latest Kempton second rather came out of nowhere after eight consecutive unplaced efforts. That form would out him in the mix here but others more reliable to follow up good runs.

Form: 906002

Forecasts

Documenting (3/1), Diocles Of Rome (7/2), Apex King (11/2), Silca Mistress (6/1), Boy In The Bar (13/2), Swift Approval (8/1), Al Asef (12/1), Shyron (16/1), Sword Exceed (18/1), In The Red (25/1), Spare Parts (28/1), Seprani (50/1)

A very tricky contest this and in honesty none of these are without some sort of chance. The most compelling claims belong to course hat-trick seeker SILCA MISTRESS who looks to be thriving at the end of her three-year-old year. Also on a hat-trick is Diocles Of Rome with the only reason for him being second best is that his wins have come at Kempton not here. Al Asef looked well worth a go at 7f for the first time latest and he could improve for the trip if staying as he looks likely too.