16:08 Lingfield

Friday 21 January 2022

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

Winter Million Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:08 | Winning time: 5m 22.30s

Cut The Mustard^p²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

20/1

Useful chaser who, with cheekpieces applied, was back on track in form terms when third in a handicap at Chepstow 25 days ago, albeit not looking enthusiastic at the finish. Place claims.

Form: 374-P63

Springtown Lake^p⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 132| D

50/1

Talented sort who ended his time for Philip Hobbs out of sorts and was pulled up at Chepstow 48 days ago on his first outing for a new yard. Plenty to prove.

Form: 9/2556-P

Admiral Barratry^v²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 130| D

22/1

Back to winning way in refitted visor in 21f Fakenham handicap in December but underlined his inconsistency with a lacklustre display at Cheltenham next time. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 2P0-71P

Sopran Thor²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 127| CD

6/1

Hurdles winner who made a bright start over fences when landing a 2½m Lingfield handicap in October. Has remained in form since, but jumping hasn't always been fluent, and this looks competitive.

Form: 31-1254

Zalvados^b,t²⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124

14/1

Scored at Doncaster around a year ago and, while latest outing at Aintree 9 months ago was underwhelming, he's left Oliver Greenall and joined a top yard since, so worth a market check.

Form: 8/34120-

Zhiguli³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 124| C

16/5

Fairly useful hurdler who immediately improved for a switch to chasing when scoring here in October. Has remained in form since and well-run race should suit him.

Form: 217-144

The Flying Sofa²⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: M Goldstein| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122

40/1

Fairly useful chaser who has been off 9 months (finished lame) since a good second at Plumpton when last seen. Returns on a fair mark and shrewd yard likely to have him tuned up for this.

Form: 12/4432-

Neil The Legend²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 121| D

9/2

Well found in the market and found improvement on debut for this stable when readily making all at Warwick 3 weeks ago. Every chance there's more to come, so should put up another bold bid.

Form: 15848-1

Chambard²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 119

15/2

Underwent a breathing operation and was given a big chance by the handicapper prior to a successful reappearance at Exeter, having plenty in hand. Still will treated after 9-lb rise, so strong claims.

Form: 5/P466-1

Tile Tapper⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: C Honour| OR: 118

3/1

Bumper winner/fairly useful hurdler who attracted support before a mildly encouraging chasing bow when fourth at Exeter 49 days ago. Should improve for that experience, so hard to rule out.

Form: 2338-74

Non-Runners

The Edgar Wallace⁶⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Tile Tapper (3/1), Zhiguli (16/5), Neil The Legend (9/2), The Edgar Wallace (6/1), Sopran Thor (6/1), Chambard (15/2), Zalvados (14/1), Cut The Mustard (20/1), Admiral Barratry (22/1), The Flying Sofa (40/1), Springtown Lake (50/1)

CHAMBARD returned to action with a ready success under this rider at Exeter and, while the handicapper has hit him with a 9-lb rise for that authoritative effort, he still has plenty of handicapping scope based on past exploits, so he's fancied to land this for his thriving stable. Neil The Legend is also well respected on the back of a winning start for Nicky Henderson.