16:15 Lingfield

Friday 19 April 2019

All13:3014:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:45

Betway Easter Classic All-Weather Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 2m 1.09s

(1)

Court House⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| C

7/1

Two-time course winner who has finished behind re-opposing stablemate Wissahickon on his last two starts, most recently in Group 3 company. No obvious reason why he will reverse that form but should be amongst the contenders for the places.

Form: 224-132

(5)

Executive Force^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Wigham| OR: 97| C| D

25/1

Prolific on AW in handicap company this winter, landing six races including a 1m course win. Progress has halted on two starts this month though and very much up against it on these terms.

Form: 121133

(3)

Master The World^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 107| CD

10/1

Goes well at this venue and he's a former win of the Group 3 Winter Derby as well as two Listed races, all over C&D. This renewal is above par though and the eight-year-old will need a career best to trouble Wissahickon; place claims.

Form: 4601-63

(4)

Matterhorn²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 112| BF| CD

9/2

Has won six of his nine career starts and impressive when bolting up off top-weight in a Class 2 Handicap at Kempton two starts back (Executive Force runner-up). Draw well to try and make all and looks the main danger to the Gosden first-string.

Form: 11-1117

(2)

Pactolus^h,t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: S C Williams| OR: 104| CD

40/1

Has run many of his better races at this venue but he's been slowly away on his last couple of starts including when third to Wissahickon in February and has plenty to find at these weights.

Form: 101-130

(6)

Roc Angel²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: C Soumillon| T: F Chappet

25/1

Has been running well in lesser company in France of late but his best form has come at 1m and hard to make a case for here.

Form: 20-3313

(7)

Victory Bond^b²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 100| CD

16/1

Winner of this race last year when getting the better of Master The World but hasn't built on that subsequently and this looks a stronger renewal; others preferred.

Form: 2164-05

(8)

Wissahickon⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 117| CD

1/3

Wide margin winner of the Cambridgeshire and has been mightily impressive on AW subsequently, winning three C&D races, including two Listed events and the Winter Derby. Widest draw the only slight concern but hard to beat and sets a clear standard.

Form: 8111-11

Forecasts

Wissahickon (1/3), Matterhorn (9/2), Court House (7/1), Master The World (10/1), Victory Bond (16/1), Roc Angel (25/1), Executive Force (25/1), Pactolus (40/1)

There seems little point in opposing WISSAHICKON in his bid to make it four course and distance wins on the spin and he could hardly have won the Winter Derby with much more authority last time out. The main danger is probably Matterhorn who brings in a different form line and it's likely he will try and get the likely favourite beat by setting a good tempo from the front. Master The World and Court House can do battle for minor honours with the former preferred when taking into account he should get a strong gallop to aim at.