14:50 Lingfield

Wednesday 18 December 2019

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 2m 3.13s

(5)

El Ghazwani^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 85| BF| CD

2/1

Three-time C&D winner who failed to live up to expectations when backed into 6-4 favourite here last time (reportedly struck into). If that effort can be excused then he's got a good chance off a mark 5lb lower than his last C&D win.

Form: 775656

(6)

Michele Strogoff⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Theodore Ladd⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 84| D

8/1

Game front-runner who is 0-3 here although he did shape as if he was still in good form last time (did too much too soon, not for the first time). Generally gives his running though, 3lb below last winning mark but is vulnerable at this level.

Form: 253544

(2)

Family Fortunes²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: L P Keniry| T: M Madgwick| OR: 83| C

6/1

Attracted support last time when back from a break although a conservative ride left him poorly-placed over 1m3f. Dropped a further 1lb for that effort he's back over shorter (never won at more than 1m); one to keep in mind off this mark.

Form: 858545

(8)

The Jean Genie⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: W Stone| OR: 82| CD

9/2

Consistent sort (placed in five of her last six starts) who has won over C&D and finished a good second over C&D last time (Michele Strogoff, fourth). Should remain competitive although the suspicion remains that this mark is a little high.

Form: 223302

(3)

My Target⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Charles Bishop| T: M Wigham| OR: 79| BF| C

8/1

Six times a winner around here he's yet to win over a trip as long as this. Still in good form after his last win finishing third over 1m here last time although there remains a suspicion that marks this high make him vulnerable to one or two.

Form: 750153

(4)

Baltic Eagle⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: M Dwyer| T: A Bailey| OR: 78

33/1

First run for this yard having left Wido Neuroth (was trained in GB for part of 2017 by Rune Haugen). Five-time winner in Norway and Sweden (has been tried in Group/Listed class); stays further than 1m2f, market needed to guide on GB return.

Form: 35/2054

(1)

Torochica²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Kieren Fox| T: J R Best| OR: 80

7/1

7f Newmarket winner in the summer (novice stakes) she's still not that exposed although she didn't relish the step up to 1m3f at Kempton as much as expected last time. Should be suited by a return to 1m2f, nicely weighted, one to consider.

Form: 312023

(7)

Reponse Exacte^h²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: George Wood| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 76

25/1

Offered something to work on from her first two starts for this yard since coming from France where she was a winner over 5½f. Disappointed last time when stepped up to 1m, not building on earlier promise, now up a further 2f; best watched.

Form: 058-638

(10)

Capriolette¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 71| C| D

8/1

Course winner (1m) who bounced back to her best in the summer to win at Nottingham over this trip on soft ground. Run with credit since without scoring again including on the AW the last twice although she does look held off this mark.

Form: 426235

(9)

Orange Suit^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Probert| T: E De Giles| OR: 70| D

16/1

Ended a long losing run when taking a small-field Bath 1m2f handicap on firm ground in September off a 6lb lower mark. Never a threat on the AW last time at Wolverhampton although couldn't get to the front, faces pace pressure here.

Form: 621020

Forecasts

El Ghazwani (2/1), The Jean Genie (9/2), Family Fortunes (6/1), Torochica (7/1), My Target (8/1), Capriolette (8/1), Michele Strogoff (8/1), Orange Suit (16/1), Reponse Exacte (25/1), Baltic Eagle (33/1)

The fact that three-times C&D winner El Ghazwani disappointed last time could be tempered by the information that he was struck into during the race and he’s expected to produce a better performance this time around. He does have to give away weight away all round though in a race that could be soundly run a factor which could well help the filly TOROCHICA who still looks well handicapped for this test. Family Fortunes who was behind the selection last time is another who will be suited by a decent pace and he’s a danger along with the consistent The Jean Genie. My Target may find this test too much whilst it will be interesting to see what the market makes of Baltic Eagle.