12:10 Lingfield

Saturday 4 January 2020

All11:4012:1012:4013:1513:4514:1514:5015:25

Betway Handicap

Off time: 12:10 | Winning time: 2m 3.94s

(2)

Star Of Southwold⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: George Rooke⁽⁷⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 95| D

5/1

Three-time AW winner (all at Chelmsford); set pace at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day in Class 2 contest and just worn down late in the piece under this claiming rider. Needs extra to score from this rating.

Form: 141873-

(3)

Mythical Madness^b¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 94| D

33/1

Chelmsford winner in May for David O'Meara from 2lb lower mark; well beaten in two runs here over 1m2f/1m4f last month having relocated to this yard. Watching brief safest for now.

Form: 241508-

(4)

Universal Gleam³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 93| CD

2/1

Ready winner over C&D in November and there could be more to come over this sort of trip on the AW. Up 4lb for that success but remains one to be interested in.

Form: 156971-

(1)

Creationist²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Adam J McNamara| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 92

4/1

Didn't appear to thrive for the step up to 1m6f at Chelmsford last month. Previous efforts were offering steady progress and likely can bounce back to that form now. Should be involved.

Form: 995424-

(7)

Humbert^p,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89

6/1

4-8 on the AW and caught the eye over C&D last month when fast-finishing third having been held up in rear sporting first-time tongue-tie (retained). Mark unchanged and should be able to challenge late if there's a decent pace on.

Form: 0P8003-

(5)

Sky Defender²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83| D

8/1

Two-time turf winner, fourth in C&D event won by Universal Gleam in November but disappointing when fancied next time. Likely has work cut out to defy that re-opposing rival.

Form: 73/1047-

(6)

Scofflaw^v⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: B A Curtis| T: P D Evans| OR: 81| C| D

5/1

Winner of a Wolverhampton claimer in November (1m1½f) and ran well enough back there over Christmas despite finishing well down the field. This is more demanding, however.

Form: 545138-

Forecasts

Universal Gleam (2/1), Creationist (4/1), Scofflaw (5/1), Star Of Southwold (5/1), Humbert (6/1), Sky Defender (8/1), Mythical Madness (33/1)

There was plenty to like about UNIVERSAL GLEAM and the manner of his C&D win in November. He's up 4lb but will take some halting in the closing stages if arriving down from Scotland in the same mood. He's fancied to give Keith Dalgleish victory in what is a rare foray to this track. Creationist didn't appear to relish a longer trip last time and joins Humbert in heading up the dangers while Star Of Southwold ran well for a long way at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day and should do so again.