15:05 Lingfield

Wednesday 27 March 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:40

Ladbrokes Handicap

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 1m 23.11s

(5)

Deira Surprise⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: H Palmer| OR: 82| D

7/2

Related to some smart types, Had run to a similar level on her first four starts before an impressive victory before Christmas. Had more in hand than her margin of victory suggested but this is a much better race.

Form: 24231-

(6)

Harbour Spirit⁹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 81| D

7/2

Landed a Deauville maiden over this trip in December but that form, and two efforts this side of the Channel, fail to justify his handicap mark.

Form: 32631-

(8)

Azor Ahai²⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: George Bass⁽⁷⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 80

16/1

Off the mark in a poor race at Ripon before finishing last of 11 in the Chesham Stakes. Off since and hard to fancy after such an absence given a handicap mark which looks far too high.

Form: 4210-

(7)

Usain Boat^h1¹⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Watson| T: George Scott| OR: 80

25/1

Came to hand early last season but his form dipped later in the year. Given a chance by the handicapper on AW/handicap debut and worth noting for a market move given jockey booking (3-8 for yard) plus a first-time hood.

Form: 212402-

(4)

Shanghai Grace¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁷⁾| T: C Hills| OR: 79| CD

9/4

Almost threw it away last time by hanging left and today's young rider did well to force him ahead on the line. Handicapper has been fair and he is drawn closer to the fence this time.

Form: 4-22311

(9)

Howzer Black¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 79

6/1

Excellent second on return to action in a fast run contest 18 days ago. Had some smart horses behind him and this is a lot less demanding. Lanarkshire trainer's only runner on the card and that a tip in itself.

Form: 18459-2

(2)

Pacino¹⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76

11/2

Highly tried since his Wolverhampton success but down in grade here off a more realistic handicap mark. Stable uncharacteristically short of winners for the time of year but place claims none the less.

Form: 741006-

(1)

Champagne Marengo²³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 75| BF

25/1

Battle of Marengo colt, a half-brother to three winners, including useful 1m winner Hombre Rojo. Generally well held in four career starts and debuts for a new yard.

Form: 9650-

(3)

Kapono¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: George Wood| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 74

16/1

Impressed in his first couple of starts but well held when last seen in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Well held on both starts since and now tackles a new trip.

Form: 310-86

Forecasts

Shanghai Grace (9/4), Harbour Spirit (7/2), Deira Surprise (7/2), Pacino (11/2), Howzer Black (6/1), Kapono (16/1), Azor Ahai (16/1), Usain Boat (25/1), Champagne Marengo (25/1)

HOWZER BLACK is hard to oppose given the improvement shown at Wolverhampton on his first start since being gelded. There were plenty of winners in that lineup and the time was very quick for the grade. Pacino is another who will find this easier and Shanghai Grace has a chance of completing the hat-trick, but Usain Boat came to hand early last year and the rider has a good record for the yard.