13:30 Lingfield

Wednesday 30 March 2022

All13:0013:3014:0014:3515:1015:45

Betway Handicap

Off time: 13:34 | Winning time: 2m 4.17s

(8)

Forge Valley Lad¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 66| D

9/2

7/2, career best when winning 12-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 16 days ago, well positioned to lead over 2f out. Up 4 lb and should remain competitive.

Form: 5D-6231

(7)

Hackbridge^v⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: P Phelan| OR: 64| CD

6/1

3-time C&D winner who ended a losing streak stretching back over 3 years on the Flat here on penultimate start. Below-par effort over hurdles when sixth of 8 at Plumpton (15.9f, good to soft, 7/4) 9 days ago but should be in the mix back on the level.

Form: 5223-81

(9)

Union Spirit^p⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: P W Chapple-Hyam| OR: 63| CD

12/1

C&D winner. 7/1, stopped the slide to some extent when fifth of 8 in handicap at this C&D (AW) 53 days ago, very much having run of race.

Form: 48989-5

(1)

For Richard^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Cieren Fallon| T: P Charalambous & J Clutterbuck| OR: 62| CD

16/1

C&D winner. Two wins from 5 runs last year. Below best over the longest trip he's tackled when fifth of 11 in handicap (15/2) at this course (12f, AW) 33 days ago. May get back on track.

Form: 3710-55

(11)

Pillars Of Earth⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: J Mitchell| T: W Stone| OR: 62| BF| CD

13/2

C&D winner. Three wins from 9 runs last year. Latest win here in December. Respectable fifth of 12 in handicap at this course (12f, AW, 13/8) 61 days ago. Solid each-way player.

Form: 71011-5

(3)

Florence Street⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: William Carson| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 62

33/1

Little show for this yard, latest when seventh of 8 in handicap at this C&D (AW, 25/1) 53 days ago. Must improve.

Form: 4227-77

(6)

Smart Connection^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 61| BF| C

4/1

Course winner. Two wins from 5 runs last year. 3/1, respectable fourth of 12 in handicap at Newcastle (8f) 20 days ago, sticking to task having been caught behind weakening rival and shuffled back 2f out. Up in trip. Should go well.

Form: 8211-24

(5)

Sun Festival⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson| T: J Parr| OR: 60

7/2

22/1, last of 10 in handicap at this C&D (AW) 86 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Roger Ingram. Given a chance by the handicapper and could revive for new stable.

Form: 39607-0

(10)

Couldn't Could She²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Charlie Bennett| T: A West| OR: 58| D

100/1

16/1, not seen to best effect when fifth of 14 in handicap at Windsor (10f, good to firm), never nearer after forced wide from 2f out. Off 6 months.

Form: 070/255-

(2)

Doonbeg Farmer¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Laura Pearson⁽³⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 57| CD

9/1

Untrustworthy individual. C&D winner here in March. Respectable 6 lengths fifth of 12 to Forge Valley Lad in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f, 9/1) 16 days ago, needing stronger gallop.

Form: 847-915

(4)

Sherpa Trail¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: S Dow| OR: 50

40/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2020. 12/1, seventh of 9 in handicap at Kempton (11f) 18 days ago, making little impression having missed the break. Not the most consistent so others appeal more.

Form: 0-76537

Forecasts

Sun Festival (7/2), Smart Connection (4/1), Forge Valley Lad (9/2), Hackbridge (6/1), Pillars Of Earth (13/2), Doonbeg Farmer (9/1), Union Spirit (12/1), For Richard (16/1), Florence Street (33/1), Sherpa Trail (40/1), Couldn't Could She (100/1)

HACKBRIDGE ended a losing streak stretching back over 3 years on the Flat at this track last month and, if able to put a below-par effort over hurdles at Plumpton last week behind him, Pat Phelan's charge looks the one to side with. Smart Connection was just a head behind the selection in February and is expected to continue his good run of form, with Pillars of Earth and Forge Valley Lad also not without hope.