17:00 Lingfield

Tuesday 25 February 2020

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Bombardier Golden Beer Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:04 | Winning time: 1m 23.85s

(7)

Bold Decision¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 55| BF

9/4

Undone by missing the break when upped to a mile last time out but wasn't beaten too far and did show a good attitude near the finish. Worth another try at this trip and has to be of interest despite racing from a 2lb higher mark.

Form: 50-7425

(14)

Rivas Rob Roy^b¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Gallagher| OR: 53| D

7/1

Won on Tapeta at Newcastle last November but found life much tougher since the revised mark kicked in; been shown some leniency since and latest start wasn't too far off the mark. However, his lack of consistency is a concern.

Form: 6187-64

(4)

Just An Idea^b⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽³⁾| T: R Ingram| OR: 52| C| D

12/1

Won a modest race at Chelmsford in December but raced a bit too keenly last time out and failed to get home as a result. Another who has been given a chance from his current mark and gets on well with the rider booked. Shortlisted.

Form: 53271-7

(9)

Grandstand¹⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Toby Eley⁽³⁾| T: R J Price| OR: 50

40/1

Was placed on the Polytrack here during his time with Andrew Balding but so far yet to strike a similar chord since joining his current yard. A lot has to be taken on trust on his first run since August but has a chance on the pick of his past form.

Form: 630005-

(1)

Come On Bear¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: George Rooke⁽⁵⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 49| D

5/4

Already won twice in February and a 4lb rise for his latest win looks fair; a strong pace will suit and he's holding his form well enough to be considered as a serious contender again in this company.

Form: 4464-11

(10)

Indian Affair^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-0| J: Thomas Greatrex| T: C Wallis| OR: 48| C| D

20/1

Arrives in good heart but a wide draw over this trip will put the old boy to the test. All bar one of his 10 previous wins came over 6f; needs a lot to go his way. (Well handicapped all the same.)

Form: 0897-23

(3)

Little Miss Kodi²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Mollie Phillips⁽⁷⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 47| D

12/1

Third behind Come On Bear last time (only beaten 1½L at the line) and feasible the mare could reverse the form now on slightly more favourable terms. She's only 1-29 on the AW, though, and her limitations are plain to see.

Form: 02800-3

(12)

Soaring Spirits^p⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 8-12| J: Eracles Eracleous⁽³⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 45| CD

33/1

Form has taken a severe dip over the last twelve months or so and his two starts on the AW in December leave a lot to be desired. Opposable from a wide draw. (Also over two years since his last win.)

Form: 678600-

(6)

Islay Mist^b,t⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁵⁾| T: L Carter| OR: 45

14/1

Has run well over C&D in the past but her last three starts have been well below her best. 0-15 on the AW and has form to reverse with Rebecke from last time out; others preferred.

Form: 38208-9

(2)

Haraz^b,h⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Grace McEntee⁽⁵⁾| T: P Butler| OR: 45

28/1

On a downward spiral at present and very hard to make a serious case in his favour on recent form. Does like this course but two poor efforts earlier this month cast enough doubt to look elsewhere.

Form: 3-65789

(8)

Black Lace¹⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: William Carver⁽³⁾| T: S Woodman| OR: 45

66/1

0-12 so far and done very little of late to suggest a change is imminent. Would be a highly surprising winner from out of the handicaps.

Form: 0065/78-

Non-Runners

(11)

My Law¹¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: M Appleby J: Non Runner

(13)

Brockey Rise³²

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: P D Evans J: Non Runner

(5)

Rebecke¹⁴

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: L Carter J: Paddy Bradley

Forecasts

Come On Bear (5/4), Bold Decision (9/4), Brockey Rise (6/1), Rivas Rob Roy (7/1), My Law (10/1), Little Miss Kodi (12/1), Just An Idea (12/1), Islay Mist (14/1), Rebecke (14/1), Indian Affair (20/1), Haraz (28/1), Soaring Spirits (33/1), Grandstand (40/1), Black Lace (66/1)

BOLD DECISION is open to a little improvement and looks the one most capable of halting Come On Bear's winning run. The Zoffany gelding has been popular in the betting the last twice but didn't enjoy the rub of the green at the business end. This is a weak event and he could easily make it third time lucky. Come On Bear only has a 4lb higher mark to contend with and has to be respected in the company. However, Just An Idea doesn't have much to find at this level and can also give the selection a scare along the way.