13:00 Lingfield

Tuesday 25 January 2022

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Betway Handicap

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 2m 44.63s

(1)

Creationist^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Christian Howarth⁽⁷⁾| T: L Carter| OR: 76

25/1

Eighteen runs since last win in 2019. 22/1, 7 lengths third of 5 in handicap at this course (12f) 17 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 60947-3

(4)

Koeman¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: George Bass⁽⁵⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 76| C

13/2

Course winner. 6/1, below-form third of 4 in handicap at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 11 days ago but this is the first time in a long time that he's been eligible for a Class 5.

Form: 75458-3

(2)

Jumping Cats⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Anna Gibson⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 74| C

80/1

Successful twice over hurdles in October but below form at Plumpton last time. Did land an AW Flat win in 2020. Market perhaps best guide to what's expected now returning to the level.

Form: 705016-

(7)

Cerulean^t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K T O'Neill| T: I Furtado| OR: 75

11/2

French recruit who was having only his second out for this yard when landing a 10f Chelmsford novice 12 days ago. Could have more to come now handicapping up in trip. Player.

Form: 34578-1

(6)

Battle Of Marathon¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Ryan| OR: 71| C

22/1

Course winner. Sixth of 8 in handicap (25/1) at Chelmsford (1m) 19 days ago, inadequate test. Significantly back up in trip. On a workable mark if returning to form.

Form: 97744-6

(8)

Where's Tom³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: M Madgwick| OR: 69| C

7/1

Course winner. 15/2, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Plumpton (20.5f, good to soft) 35 days ago could fare better back on Flat (runner-up off higher mark last spring).

Form: 9/22606-

(3)

Catbird Seat⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Ross Coakley| T: A King| OR: 67WS

11/2

Bit disappointing over hurdles but did land an AW Flat win last winter. Has had wind surgery since finishing down the field in a Worcester handicap hurdle in November. Check betting.

Form: 0021/37-

(10)

Theonlywayiswessex¹⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: A King| OR: 67

18/1

Thrice-raced maiden on Flat. Remote fourth of 5 in juvenile at Chepstow on hurdle debut in October. Off since. Makes handicap debut now returning to the Flat. Unexposed.

Form: 664-

(5)

Clifftop Heaven¹²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Adam J McNamara| T: A Watson| OR: 63

10/3

16/1, bit below form fourth of 10 in handicap at Wolverhampton when last seen in September (final start for Mark Walford). Back on a winning mark ahead of first run for Archie Watson. Interesting.

Form: 239464-

(9)

Melakaz²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Marco Ghiani| T: R Stephens| OR: 63| C

10/3

Career best when winning 10-runner handicap at this course (10f) 22 days ago. Up in trip. 2 lb rise is unlikely to prevent another prominent showing.

Form: 7/3520-1

Forecasts

Melakaz (10/3), Clifftop Heaven (10/3), Catbird Seat (11/2), Cerulean (11/2), Koeman (13/2), Where's Tom (7/1), Theonlywayiswessex (18/1), Battle Of Marathon (22/1), Creationist (25/1), Jumping Cats (80/1)

CLIFFTOP HEAVEN has been the subject of an interesting trainer change and could prove the answer having dropped to a winning mark, with confidence increased should the betting vibes be strong. Recent novice winner Cerulean could have more to come in handicaps for his in-form yard and looks the main threat. Melakaz also makes the shortlist.