15:10 Lingfield

Friday 15 February 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1516:50

Ladbrokes Home Of The Odds Boost Novice Stakes

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 1m 25.31s

(8)

Songkran²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: David Probert| T: D R C Elsworth| D

6/1

Overcame plenty of trouble in running to win by a short head on debut, at Kempton (7f) last month. That performance looks worth marking up as a result, and he should make a bold bid to follow up under his penalty.

Form: 1

(7)

Assimilation²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: E Walker

11/2

7lb better off with Assimilation for a short head at Kempton last time. He had already had the benefit of a run prior to that, and he didn't meet the same traffic as his reopposing rival, but he finished well and should be very competitive.

Form: 8-2

(2)

Bay Of Naples¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston

8/1

Sent off at just 7-4 on debut when one pace in the closing stages and beaten over 4L at Newcastle (7f) recently. Should come on for the experience, and tries a different surface here, so he may be capable of better.

Form: 4

(3)

Capofaro¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne

20/1

Not devoid of promise in two starts, but shaping up as more of a handicap prospect that for a race like this.

Form: 06

(9)

Lestrade^h1

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W Jarvis

20/1

65,000gns yearling who is half-brother to German 1m3f winner Night Of England and French 1m winner Normandie, out of a 1m3f German winner. Interesting on pedigree, though probably one to note with a view to being upped in trip.

Form:

(1)

Shanghai Grace²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: C Hills| OR: 77

11/4

Has finished runner-up in three of his five starts, including on Kempton's Polytrack last time out. Sets a decent standard, but at the same time is clearly vulnerable. Should be thereabouts.

Form: 244-22

(6)

Woods³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| BF

2/1

Made a promising debut over C&D in December, but disappointed when made favourite at Kempton (1m) last time. Drop back in trip looks positive for the time being, and he may well bounce back.

Form: 3-4

(4)

Cachaca⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Kieren Fox| T: J R Best

33/1

Well held at huge prices in two runs at Kempton so far. Can only watch.

Form: 00-

(5)

Theban Air

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: S Donohoe| T: L Wadham

20/1

Half-sister to five winners, the best of whom was Ex Ex (6f-1m, inc AW), out of 6f winner. Percentage call is to watch on debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Woods (2/1), Shanghai Grace (11/4), Assimilation (11/2), Songkran (6/1), Bay Of Naples (8/1), Lestrade (20/1), Theban Air (20/1), Capofaro (20/1), Cachaca (33/1)

Mark Johnston saddled last year's winner and it is likely that BAY OF NAPLES is better than we saw first time, given that he went off at short enough odds. He may be able to step up on that first run and take the measure of the penalised Songkran, who should be closely matched again with Assimilation. Shanghai Grace and Woods are two others who could present substantial danger to the selection.