13:50 Lingfield

Tuesday 12 November 2019

All12:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:20

Phoenix Aerospace 25th Anniversary Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 43.71s

Colonel Keating²³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 105| DWS

9/2

Best hurdles effort when third on final start in March at Chepstow over 2m3f and returns now following wind surgery. May do better over fences but stable has gone nearly a year without a winner which is a concern.

Form: 21/8763-

Pres²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: L P Aspell| T: C Gordon| OR: 103

4/1

Dam won over fences but didn't show a great deal in four starts over timber including at Exeter three weeks ago. Hard to get too excited about his chance here unless he proves a natural chaser.

Form: 6366-89

Ballyart^p1⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 102| BF| D

9/2

Yard operating at good 24% winning strike-rate at present. Ran best race when just beaten in heavy ground over this trip in a Chepstow novice hurdle last December. Better recent fourth of five at Bangor last time and should go well.

Form: 2757-34

Fenlons Court¹⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 100

13/2

Only win came in Fontwell handicap hurdle last season on decent ground so the heavy surface here has to be a bit of a concern. In-and-out form this spring and returns here from summer break.

Form: 65-6353

Bact To Black^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 100| CD

6/1

Won 2m7f handicap hurdle here last season but disappointed both starts since including when pulled up at Chepstow on poor chasing debut a few weeks ago. Has plenty to prove on that evidence.

Form: 6/6316-P

General Malarkey²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 85

25/1

Eight-race maiden who has run poorly in all three starts since joining current yard in February. Makes chasing bow with plenty to prove at present.

Form: 6P8/79-7

Clondaw Ace²¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 81| D

8/1

Very modest form over hurdles and hasn't looked a natural so far in two starts over the larger obstacles. Pulled up when tailed off last time at Ffos Las in April and needs to take a big step forward this term.

Form: 9/6568P-

Inspireus²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 81

5/1

13-race maiden hurdler tries his luck over fences for the first time. Probably best on a sound surface so will do well to figure on chase bow in forecast bog-like conditions.

Form: 845-454

Non-Runners

Chain Smoker⁸

Weight: 10-4| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Pres (4/1), Ballyart (9/2), Colonel Keating (9/2), Inspireus (5/1), Bact To Black (6/1), Fenlons Court (13/2), Clondaw Ace (8/1), Chain Smoker (10/1), General Malarkey (25/1)

BALLYART wears first-time cheekpieces which could sharpen him up enough to land the spoils having run well for a long way when fourth at Bangor last time. Top weight Colonel Keating is not out of it if fit but has stamina to prove and his stable is going through a lean spell. Fenlons Court is open to a little improvement, and of the rest, Chain Smoker might surprise for a yard that has done well here over the years.