16:20 Lingfield

Saturday 29 February 2020

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 2m 30.35s

(11)

The Twisler^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: S W Kelly| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 72

18/1

Makes return to the flat for the first time since finishing third in this grade at Salisbury (1m6f; good) in August 2017. Has since enjoyed a decent time of things over hurdles (rated 115). Not disgraced when fifth in Cheltenham handicap last time.

Form: 698633/

(7)

Cry Wolf^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 72| D

10/1

Took a step back in the right direction when pushing the in-form and quickly improving Battle Of Marathon over C&D last time out. Needs to prove that was no fluke, but he could be well treated 6lb below his last winning mark if it wasn't.

Form: 870-482

(10)

Tralee Hills^v¹¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: P Hedger| OR: 72| BF| CD

6/1

C&D winner who is eased in grade after a slightly underwhelming effort at Kempton (1m4f; standard to slow) when only fifth in November. Not seen since so fitness to prove on return from 116 days off the track.

Form: 008935-

(2)

Outlane^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 70

14/1

Entitled to need the run when seventh on return from over a year off at Kempton (2m; standard to slow) recently. Remains lightly raced and his previous two efforts before suffering injury suggested he would enjoy success in handicaps at some stage.

Form: 93543/7

(1)

Sea Sculpture²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 72

16/1

Not kicked on from initial early promise since switched to handicaps. Failed to convince he stays this far. Dropped 3lb since his latest run, but is on a retrieval mission at present and is subsequently opposed.

Form: 3/145-65

(9)

Pentimento²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J R Best| OR: 71

6/1

Gone backwards the last twice after what was a promising handicap debut at Kempton (1m; standard to slow) back in November. Steps up in trip to 1m4f, but not certain to get it on breeding. Has a small amount to prove.

Form: 6223-84

(6)

Noble Fox^v1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 70| BF

2/1

Expensive to follow recently (turned over at 6/4f & 15/8f on his previous two starts), but hard to knock his consistency in defeat despite still being a 13-race maiden. Likely to play a leading role, but place claims at best.

Form: 023-233

(3)

Amanto^t,v²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-0| J: Dylan Hogan⁽³⁾| T: A Stronge| OR: 63| C| D

10/1

Took advantage of a declining handicap mark to return to winning ways by the narrowest of margins over 1m5f at this track recently. Raised 2lb for that success, but has won off higher marks in the past and has place claims at least.

Form: 963-241

(5)

Crimson King^v²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: George Rooke⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 63

8/1

Not beaten far at all despite finishing only fifth at Kempton (1m4f; standard to slow) at the start of the month. Solid placed efforts in defeat throughout the winter, but looks vulnerable for win purposes with his overall record now 0-15.

Form: 324-235

(4)

Ravenous⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: Sophie Ralston⁽⁵⁾| T: L A Dace| OR: 61| D

40/1

Mark continues to fall after a string of poor runs in defeat, and he would need to step up significantly on his latest effort at Kempton (1m4f; standard to slow) when last seen in December. Not one to have an interest in at present.

Form: 063760-

(8)

Mr Carbonator^v⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: S De Sousa| T: P A Kirby| OR: 58

6/1

Consistent in the main but posted an improved effort when stepped back up in trip at Southwell (1m4f; standard) last week. Raised slightly in grade, and he hasn't won for over two years now but is 8lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 675-342

Forecasts

Noble Fox (2/1), Tralee Hills (6/1), Pentimento (6/1), Mr Carbonator (6/1), Crimson King (8/1), Amanto (10/1), Cry Wolf (10/1), Outlane (14/1), Sea Sculpture (16/1), The Twisler (18/1), Ravenous (40/1)

A chance is taken on OUTLANE who only managed to finish seventh on her return from a long layoff recently. She should strip much fitter now and retains plenty of potential in middle-distance handicaps at this level for her in-form yard. This is his first start on the flat for 918 days, but The Twisler could be well-handicapped off a mark of 72 given how he has progressed over jumps in recent times (rated 115 under that code). The consistent Noble Fox has place claims once more, as does Cry Wolf after a much improved effort over C&D last time. After regaining the winning thread when last seen, Amanto is also a player off a mark which should keep him competitive.