15:30 Lingfield

Tuesday 8 November 2022

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

Sharon Knapp Memorial Cup Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 6m 1.40s

Top Ville Ben^h²¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 136| CD

14/1

Very capable hurdler/chaser on his day and regained the winning thread in this sphere over C&D in January. Off since failing to complete in the Grand National but on a good mark back hurdling and claims if fully tuned-up.

Form: 5F312P-

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West To The Bridge¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

14/1

In the form of his life last season, completing a 4-timer at Newton Abbot in March. Out with the washing both starts so far this time round but has dipped back below last winning mark and will be a threat if returning to form.

Form: 1115-09

Lieutenant Rocco²⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: R T Dunne| T: S Hosie| OR: 135WS

18/1

Winner of a useful Ffos Las novice chase for Nick Mitchell in February 2021 and was 2-3 in this sphere for the Tizzard yard. However, no show both starts for Harriet Brown last season and questions to answer back hurdling. Has undergone a breathing op.

Form: 3231/P8-

Ballybegg^b²³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 133

10/1

Perked up no end by first-time blinkers when making all back over hurdles in a Uttoxeter handicap on New Year's Eve. Failed to complete final 2 starts of last season, though, and he has a point to prove here following a 7-month break.

Form: 9/PP1PP-

Stellar Magic²⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 131

2/1

Impressed when landing pair of novice hurdles during 2020/21 campaign. Good start to last season when runner-up in a 19f Haydock handicap and while he failed to build on that thereafter, this 7-y-o still has low mileage and resumes on an attractive mark.

Form: 1P/2P44-

Emitom²¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: W Greatrex| OR: 128| C

6/1

Grade 2 winning hurdler in 2020 but has generally proved disappointing since, pulled up in handicaps at Haydock and Aintree on final 2 starts of last season. Given a chance by the handicapper but opposable all the same.

Form: P/232PP-

Lynwood Gold^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Doggrell⁽⁷⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 128

22/1

Maiden hurdle winner for Henry de Bromhead in March 2020 but well held on his last 3 starts in this sphere and offered little on debut for new yard on the Flat last month.

Form: 263P/0-8

Bushypark²¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 128| D

25/1

Completed superb 5-timer over hurdles in 2020/21 and scored readily on Kelso chase debut/return last season. It was all downhill thereafter, though, including back in this sphere at Aintree when last seen in April.

Form: 01/13PP-

Royal Pretender²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: A King| OR: 123

7/2

Fairly useful hurdler, winning his first 2 starts last season before holding his form well throughout the campaign. Blotted his copybook on return over fences at Uttoxeter but live each-way chance back in this sphere.

Form: 2322-3U

Henry Gondoff²⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119

11/1

Wetherby novice hurdle winner in January 2021 but last season was a write-off and now finds himself with a fair bit to prove.

Form: 312/7PF-

Mister Tickle^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 108

33/1

Won first 3 starts (all over fences) in blinkers last autumn but form dipped badly in second half of last season and beaten a long way on return in a Kempton handicap chase. Opposable back hurdling here.

Form: 1134-54

Non-Runners

Barbados Buck's²⁴⁹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Hurricane Harvey¹⁶

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: F O'Brien J: Jack Hogan

Guerlain De Vaux²⁴⁹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: A Ralph J: S Bowen

Republican³⁰⁹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 7

T: O Sherwood J: Brendan Powell

Forecasts

Stellar Magic (2/1), Royal Pretender (7/2), Emitom (6/1), Barbados Buck's (6/1), Hurricane Harvey (10/1), Ballybegg (10/1), Republican (10/1), Guerlain De Vaux (10/1), Henry Gondoff (11/1), Top Ville Ben (14/1), West To The Bridge (14/1), Lieutenant Rocco (18/1), Lynwood Gold (22/1), Bushypark (25/1), Mister Tickle (33/1)

STELLAR MAGIC didn't end last season as one may have hoped but he started it with a good effort off a higher mark than this in a Class 2 handicap at Haydock and he still has time on his side. The 7-y-o gets the nod ahead of Guerlain de Vaux, who is worth another chance for a new yard. Barbados Buck's and Royal Pretender are others to consider.