17:55 Lingfield

Tuesday 11 August 2020

All15:5016:2016:5017:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:55

Betway Classified Stakes (Div 2)

Off time: 17:59 | Winning time: 2m 8.51s

(6)

Mister Merlin^b1⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: E De Giles| OR: 28

80/1

Thrice-raced maiden who has yet to really offer much promise. Little improvement when 40L ninth at Sandown (1m2f) in June and looks hard to make a case for.

Form: 9/09

(13)

Officer Drivel^v¹⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: J & S Best| OR: 49| BF

20/1

Took steps back in the right direction with two placed efforts at the beginning of the season. Had viable excuses when well-beaten at Chelmsford (1m2f) last time and bounce back to best form should see him go close.

Form: 900-326

(8)

Savoy Brown^b1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: M J Attwater| OR: 45

22/1

Record now stands at 0-18 and struggling as of late, including when 14L seventh in 1m4f handicap at this track a week ago. Down in trip with plenty to prove.

Form: 0-84787

(4)

Sharp Operator⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: William Carson| T: A Carson| OR: 48| D

15/2

Last win dates back to nearly a year now but fared better than result suggested when 4L sixth at Wolverhampton (1m1f) four days ago. Not entirely without hope.

Form: 480946

(7)

Volcano Bay^p1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: I Mohammed & J Santos| OR: 49| D

8/11

Has found her feet this season with plenty of promising efforts before rewarded with easy 5L success in Yarmouth handicap (1m2f) eight days ago. Unpenalised for that and looks to be the one to beat.

Form: 0-54221

(3)

Broughtons Compass²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Raul Da Silva| T: M R Hoad| OR: 45

16/1

Remains a maiden after 15 starts but turned a corner when 2L third in 1m Kempton handicap in mid-July. Steps up into unknown territory trip-wise but might be finding his feet finally.

Form: 445553

(12)

Lady Sarah⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: A W Carroll| OR: 49

50/1

Faces an easier task in front of her in this race, but finished last of eight on seasonal reappearance at Newmarket (7f, good) and hasn't offered much through her career. Makes limited appeal.

Form: 00-8

(10)

Murat Asset^h¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S Donohoe| T: M Wigham| OR: 50

50/1

Thrice-raced maiden who has regressed with each start. Latest 19L eighth in Wolverhampton maiden (7f) leaves him with plenty to find in this. Hood retained.

Form: 808

(11)

Thunder Flash^h²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Levey| T: Ian Williams| OR: 50

9/2

Struggled in first three stars but took a turn in the right direction when 3L fourth at Kempton (1m) last month. Off the same mark in this and place appeal if getting the trip.

Form: 80-04

(5)

Truffle Mac^t¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Charlie Bennett| T: H Morrison| OR: 50

12/1

Didn't fare well on her handicap debut at Bath two starts ago but showed likeable tendency for this course when second over 1m in late July. Might be coming into form, but 5lb hike does seem harsh.

Form: 009-72

(9)

Voice Of Dubawi⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 50

20/1

Only mild promise on debut effort but regressed markedly in two starts after that, including in 1m Bath maiden last month. Since switched to this yard but has a mountain to climb.

Form: 60-8

Result Amended

Thunder Flash - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 1st.

Voice Of Dubawi - Original Position 1st. Amended Position 2nd.

Non-Runners

(2)

Fluttershy¹¹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: J Ryan J: Darragh Keenan

(1)

Penny Diamond²⁰

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: Mrs A J Perrett J: M Dwyer

Forecasts

Volcano Bay (8/11), Thunder Flash (9/2), Sharp Operator (15/2), Truffle Mac (12/1), Broughtons Compass (16/1), Voice Of Dubawi (20/1), Officer Drivel (20/1), Penny Diamond (20/1), Savoy Brown (22/1), Fluttershy (25/1), Murat Asset (50/1), Lady Sarah (50/1), Mister Merlin (80/1)

Plenty of the principles have questions to answer but one who doesn't and looks tough to beat is VOLCANO BAY. She built o her promising form book when romping to victory at Yarmouth and with her escaping a penalty for that, looks to be a fine bit of placement by her trainer. Broughtons Compass and Thunder Flash both took steps in the right direction with encouraging efforts at Kempton recently, but there is some qualms about the trip, while Truffle Mac was a fine second at this venue last time but the handicapper has not treated her kindly for that solid effort.