15:35 Lingfield

Friday 21 January 2022

All12:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:08

Sovereign Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 4m 10.5s

Gowel Road⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 141| D

17/2

Another step forward when landing 21f Cheltenham handicap in November. Creditable third of 4 in a useful heat at Newbury (2m) since. Will need a really smart effort to defy top weight.

Form: 110-613

Metier^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 139| D

11/4

Won Grade 1 Tolworth as a novice. Flopped on Sandown return but back on track when fourth of 12 in Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot last month. Dropped another 3lb and well treated on peak form.

Form: 1117-P4

Lucky Max⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J B Foley⁽³⁾| T: S Doyle| OR: 136| D

13/2

Much improved in 2m handicaps in Ireland this term, completing hat-trick (all on soft/heavy) when seeing off 15 rivals at Cork latest. Much higher mark here but there could easily be more to come.

Form: 800-111

Hudson De Grugy³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 135| CD

10/3

Ex-French bumper winner who improved again to make it 4-7 over hurdles in C&D handicap on heavy last month. Another 3 lb higher in a deeper race now but dangerous to rule out further progress.

Form: 113-161

Antunes^t1⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| DWS

125/1

Useful sort. Has run poorly in 2 chases this winter but no shock were he to revive back hurdling after wind surgery. Also has a tongue-strap on first time.

Form: 5F13-8P

Hacker Des Places²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

20/1

French import who won a 2m Wetherby juvenile (heavy) last December. Not seen again until sixth of 10 in 2m Kempton handicap a year later, fading as if possibly needing run. Remains unexposed.

Form: 3121-6

Chti Balko²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 129| D

33/1

Mud lover who was a good second at Haydock (2m) last month. Not in the same form when well-held third over 19f there 12 days later but he's capable of bouncing back.

Form: P66-323

Mack The Man¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 128| D

22/1

Added to his decent record when fresh when landing a 2m Exeter handicap in November. Respectable fifth of 8 in a Sandown Class 2 since. Will need a career best to overcome this mark.

Form: 5103-15

Carrarea⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul Townend| T: E Mullins| OR: 127| D

3/1

Dual bumper winner who posted an improved effort over hurdles when second of 19 on 2½m Fairyhouse handicap debut in November. Yard's runners over here always feared. Very interesting runner.

Form: 1-12552

Sevenna Star^h,t⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Mike O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: E Mullins| OR: 123

50/1

Solid start in handicap hurdles hurdles when third at Cork (2m, soft) in November. Not in anything like same form at Fairyhouse since but this return to more testing ground should be in his favour.

Form: 083530

Thibault^t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: R Patrick| T: A West| OR: 122| D

22/1

Thrived for new yard last term, landing 2 handicap hurdles and a jumpers bumper. Has continued in good form over hurdles this time round and probably worth ignoring his recent Flat run.

Form: 45-2323

Destrier^t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 117| D

150/1

Smart 2m novice chaser back in 2018/19 but didn't appear to be the force of old last season. Failed to land a blow in pair of handicap hurdles on return last month. Could only consider if backed.

Form: 4558-79

Forecasts

Metier (11/4), Carrarea (3/1), Hudson De Grugy (10/3), Lucky Max (13/2), Gowel Road (17/2), Hacker Des Places (20/1), Mack The Man (22/1), Thibault (22/1), Chti Balko (33/1), Sevenna Star (50/1), Antunes (125/1), Destrier (150/1)

It's worth chancing METIER to build on his fourth in a strong Ascot handicap before Christmas as he's starting to look well handicapped on his Tolworth form of last season and this deep ground should suit him. Irish-raiders Carrarea and Lucky Max likely have more to offer and are feared most ahead of Chti Balko.