14:35 Lingfield

Saturday 21 December 2019

All11:4512:2012:5513:3014:0014:3515:10

Betway Handicap

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 1m 29.80s

(3)

Scarlet Dragon^h⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Tom Marquand| T: A King| OR: 99| D

5/1

Capable under both codes of racing and, though he's yet to win on the AW and it's over three years since his last success on the Flat, he has coped well with this surface before. Room to move on his current mark and no surprise if he's thereabouts.

Form: 3-20403

(7)

Petite Jack^b³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: N B King| OR: 97| CD

12/1

Loves this course (has five C&D wins to his name) and is better than he's shown of late. Still 2lb above his last winning mark and does need to bounce back from a poor effort last time out but still respected with James Doyle back in the plate.

Form: D16896

(1)

Mythical Madness^v¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 95

33/1

Never competitive in this grade on his return to action/debut for his new yard earlier this month; probably needed the run after a 201 day break but it was still a below par effort. Others more appealing.

Form: 524150

(2)

Busy Street¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 94| D

13/2

Consistent since returning from a summer break; still 3lb above his last winning mark but his latest start suggested he's still capable of paying his way. Never raced here before but the Polytrack at Kempton suits well. Good chance if he adapts.

Form: 628232

(6)

Hulcote¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 94

4/1

Less exposed on the AW than most and, although well held in a couple of Listed races since making the switch to synthetics, the ease in grade will help the filly today. Needs to conclusively prove she stays this far, though.

Form: 715285

(5)

Entangling¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: William Carson| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 89| D

7/4

Good effort when fourth in this grade here at the start of December (Mythical Madness finished last) and certainly going the right way. Previously won four on the bounce and done nothing but thrive since tacking handicaps; high on the shortlist.

Form: 21D1/14

(8)

Circus Couture¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 89

14/1

Finished behind Entangling in a bunch finish here earlier this month; 1lb better off this time and not much to find now he's gaining more experience on the AW. Dangerous to overlook.

Form: 109057

(9)

Fire Fighting¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89| CD

12/1

Finished 1¾L behind Busy Street at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago but was doing his best work at the finish and, as a previous C&D winner, the switch to this course might initiate an improved display. Could be good value to value to make the frame.

Form: 426004

(4)

Seafarer^v³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: M Dwyer| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 86| D

16/1

Last win came over an extended 1m4f at Newcastle last year but the gelding has been hard to get right since then. A poor effort back in the North East last month was uninspiring and he comes here with a lot to prove despite a tumbling handicap mark.

Form: 5266P8

Forecasts

Entangling (7/4), Hulcote (4/1), Scarlet Dragon (5/1), Busy Street (13/2), Petite Jack (12/1), Fire Fighting (12/1), Circus Couture (14/1), Seafarer (16/1), Mythical Madness (33/1)

ENTANGLING could provide the key to a tricky little race to fathom. The gelding has flourished in handicaps and proved his well being after a long absence with a win at Kempton last month. The selection also saw off the challenges of Circus Couture and Mystical Madness here two weeks ago and will be tough to master if he's in the same frame of mind. Scarlet Dragon represents last year's winning trainer and is also respected, while Fire Fighting and Busy Street are others with place claims at least.