13:45 Lingfield

Wednesday 18 December 2019

All12:1012:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:20

Betway Classified Stakes

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 1m 11.8s

(10)

Griggy^b⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: S Curran| OR: 55| BF| D

4/5

Finally broke his maiden last time at Chelmsford functioning off a career-low mark to win over 6f (scored with a bit in hand). Last time out rider is retained once more as are the blinkers which appear to suit also; drawn wide but should make his mar

Form: 674341

(9)

Alba Del Sole^p⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R Havlin| T: C Wallis| OR: 45| D

16/1

Poor handicapper with a career record that reads 1-27 that win coming over 6f at Kempton (October 2018). Has ground to make up on Griggy from their meeting last time out; fails to impress given her recent form, other appeal more.

Form: 808467

(4)

Illustrious Spirit^t1⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Watson| T: A Stronge| OR: 43

14/1

First-time tongue-tie now goes on having had wind surgery two starts ago (ran quite well on the first start after that procedure). Failed to live up to that form last time; cheekpieces worn for both of those starts are now removed; still a maiden.

Form: 076-059

(12)

Invisible Storm⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: H Crouch| T: W Stone| OR: 45| D

16/1

Failed to come on for a recent run when well beaten over 5f at Chelmsford last time and generally well below form this year. Stays this trip and her only win came at 6f but would need to make significant progress on what she's shown of late.

Form: 2-37807

(3)

Jonnysimpson¹⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Callum Shepherd| T: L Carter| OR: 48

33/1

Only seen on three occasions this year (all on the AW) but hasn't appeared to be in any sort of form in any of those outings. Returns from another absence back over 6f but appears of little interest; sometimes slowly away.

Form: 370-068

(8)

Miaella^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 50

8/1

Yet to win a race (0-10, 0-8 AW); attracted some support last time over 7f at Kempton last time (0-55, handicap) but failed to make much of an impact. Only beaten 5L in the end but would need to bounce back, this 6f trip may suit better.

Form: 678409

(1)

Peters Pudding^v⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁷⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 47

25/1

Modest maiden who hasn't really fared any better for this yard than for his previous one (David Evans). Ran over 5f at Newcastle last time (ran poorly); looks an inconsistent type who is of little interest even in this basement grade.

Form: 407070

(6)

Sagittarian Wind^b1,t⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 50| BF

7/1

Returned to some sort of form last time at Wolverhampton over this trip when dropped in grade to a similar contest as she runs in here. Given a less aggressive ride than usual (still ridden close to pace); blinkers now on first-time, should go close.

Form: 043902

(5)

Sarsaparilla Kit⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Mark Crehan⁽⁵⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 50| CD

8/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark off the back of a break without headgear when taking a C&D maiden last month. Run respectably since in two handicaps running into a better-handicapped rival last time; of interest in this grade.

Form: 475152

(2)

Starchant^p⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K T O'Neill| T: J J Bridger| OR: 46

20/1

Career record of 0-21 (0-8 AW) hardly inspires much confidence even in this bargain basement event. Not seen to best effect in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when racing wide in a Kempton 5f (0-50) handicap last time; of limited appeal.

Form: 422585

(11)

Tavener^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 47| CD

16/1

Three course wins to his name, two of which have come at this trip the most recent in March this year when taking advantage of much reduced mark. Had a brief sojourn with Declan Carroll, now back with his old yard but not seen at his best of late.

Form: 025007

Non-Runners

(7)

Major Assault⁴⁴⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: Debbie Hughes J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Griggy (4/5), Sagittarian Wind (7/1), Miaella (8/1), Sarsaparilla Kit (8/1), Major Assault (12/1), Illustrious Spirit (14/1), Alba Del Sole (16/1), Invisible Storm (16/1), Tavener (16/1), Starchant (20/1), Peters Pudding (25/1), Jonnysimpson (33/1)

Only a low-grade affair but it does contain one or two who could be better than this grade with last week’s Chelmsford winner Griggy one of that group. He won with something to spare on that occasion and another bold bid is expected despite having to give weight away all round. Both Sagittarian Wind and SARSAPARILLA KIT finished in the runner up slot last time the former appearing to appreciate the addition of blinkers last time whilst the latter could go one better here having run very soundly in handicaps of late. Most of the others would need to improve to trouble the principals although Tavener would be dangerous if he came back to his form earlier in the year.