16:40 Lingfield

Friday 14 February 2020

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1016:40

Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 2m 34.43s

(12)

King Athelstan^b¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 62| BF| CD

11/4

In good heart and is highly effective at this course. Nudged up just 1lb after a near miss over 1m5f last time out merits consideration once more despite the burden of top weight. (Goes well for today's rider.)

Form: 51471-2

(8)

Mobham¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: S W Kelly| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 62

17/2

Just behind King Athelstan here in December but struggled twice since. 4lb better off with his old rival this time around so thereabouts if he bounces back from those modest displays.

Form: 7422-47

(9)

Alvaro²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: M Wigham| OR: 62

6/1

Unexposed and very lightly raced for one of his age. Form lines though his latest start give the gelding solid claims in this company and he looks one of the more likely winners if taking another step forward.

Form: 536-5

(1)

Enmeshing^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 59| CD

10/1

Been in good heart lately and proved his effectiveness on Polytrack with a close second over 1m2f here last month. Stays this trip well and been given a chance by the handicapper. One for the shortlist at least.

Form: 0317-24

(13)

Its Nice Tobe Nice¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: W R Muir| OR: 60

7/1

Consistent so far and back from a break with a good effort at Kempton at the start of this month. More is required but going the right way and still has very few miles on the clock. Met trouble in running latest but feasible he can go close today.

Form: 445-4

(7)

Harbour Quay^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Liam Keniry| T: P R Chamings| OR: 57

13/2

Needed the run when down the field at Southwell in December but improved in both runs since (both over 1m2f here). 0-11 so far but well handicapped and can be thereabouts if his stamina holds out again (has been placed over this trip on Fibresand).

Form: 5640-34

(10)

Global Wonder^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Charles Bishop| T: J & S Best| OR: 57| C

33/1

In the mix on the pick of his efforts but the gelding lacks consistency and has so far been unable to exploit a plunging handicap mark. Recent evidence suggests he's on the downgrade these days.

Form: 0880-90

(2)

Narjes^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: William Carson| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 55| C

20/1

2-27 on the AW and usually goes well at this time of year. Needs to step things up from recent levels, however, and, even though he's currently 13lb below his last winning mark, he looks risky for win only purposes once again.

Form: 0040-68

(3)

Mistress Nellie²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W Stone| OR: 54| D

8/1

Justified good support when winning over 1m4f at Kempton last month; her first success after 28 previous attempts. Now on a career highest mark and has a bit to find with King Athelstan and Mobham judging by their encounter here in December.

Form: 52623-1

(6)

Mirabai¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 55

20/1

Three runs over shorter distances for Sir Mark Prescott yielded little but there were signs of hope on the filly's return for a new yard when she was third of seven at Chelmsford last month. Another 2f to tackle but the drop in class is a help.

Form: 377/3

(4)

Famous Dynasty¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Nicola Currie| T: M Blanshard| OR: 50| BF| C| D

8/1

Been in good form in low key races of late and hold reasonable claims on the pick of her efforts (was third here in December over C&D and could make the frame once more if running to that level). Dangerous to rule out.

Form: 3603-13

(11)

Millie May¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Fahy| T: J C Fox| OR: 45| CD

40/1

Has a C&D win to her name (from December 2018) but solid efforts have been few and far between since then. Well held by King Athelstan last time and needs a lot to go her way to reverse the placings from out of the weights.

Form: 0353-07

(5)

Turnbury^p¹³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-7| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 45| CD

66/1

Out of the handicap and no win registered since June 2016; last year's form under both codes of racing was a mixed bag at best and the gelding makes very limited appeal in spite of him being on a career lowest mark.

Form: 576/505-

Forecasts

King Athelstan (11/4), Alvaro (6/1), Harbour Quay (13/2), Its Nice Tobe Nice (7/1), Mistress Nellie (8/1), Famous Dynasty (8/1), Mobham (17/2), Enmeshing (10/1), Narjes (20/1), Mirabai (20/1), Global Wonder (33/1), Millie May (40/1), Turnbury (66/1)

King Athelstan holds a few of these and is entitled to be thereabouts at least. However, it might be worth taking a chance that he might set things up for a late challenge from the unexposed ALVARO, who has very little to find in this company and he can make use of the weight he receives from the top one on the racecard. Famous Dynasty and Mistress Nellie are closely matched and are both capable of making this a good scrap for the minor honours. Mobham and Enmeshing are a couple of others worth noting for each-way interest.