14:00 Lingfield

Tuesday 15 November 2022

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 5m 6.30s

Kannapolis^p1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: T Lawes| OR: 124

33/1

Made the most of a golden opportunity in 3-runner handicap at Huntingdon in March. However, down the field on his next 2 starts, including when returning to action at Uttoxeter last month, and needs to bounce back now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 2/2510-4

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Optimise Prime²⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 123| D

7/1

Dual winner as a novice a couple of seasons back and appeared to resume progress when third in a 12-runner handicap at Ascot (21.6f, good to soft) last December. Pulled up both subsequent starts but returns form a break on a good mark and with his yard in fine form.

Form: 37/63PP-

Heros²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120

16/1

Maiden bumper winner in France and off the mark over hurdles in a 4-y-o event at Senonnes-Pouance when last seen in October 2021. Form is hard to quantify, though, and handicapper taken no chances ahead of this British debut.

Form: 421/378-

Thirtyfourstitches²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 116| D

18/1

Likeable front-runner who was prolific last season, notching his seventh victory with a career-best effort at Market Rasen in April. Probably best to draw a line through his low-key reappearance effort at Aintree but others make more appeal all the same.

Form: 11F11-P

Cilaos Glace¹⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 116| D

66/1

Successful over fences at Fontwell last December but failed to complete in 2 subsequent outings. Reverts to hurdles back from 6 months off and probably best watched.

Form: 70/21F-P

Icare Grandchamp^h¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 115

15/2

Showed plenty of ability in 2 hurdle outings in France, finishing second at Compiegne in March. Too free on return/debut for new yard in 2½m Worcester novice when sporting a first-time hood (retained) recently but he's unexposed and worth a second look now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 62-5

Branson Missouri¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: S Lycett| OR: 114| D

15/8

Has sprouted wings since switched to this yard, landing 2½m Worcester handicaps under Tom Scudamore the last twice on good/heavy. Hit with a 13 lb rise for latest success but she couldn't have won any easier and another bold show is anticipated.

Form: 424311

Gerico Ville²⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 111

7/2

Related to plenty of winners and placed twice in C&D maiden hurdles last year prior to falling at around the halfway point on handicap bow, again over C&D when last seen in January. Resumes with yard in fine form and couldn't rule out improvement given his low mileage. Engaged 2.40 Plumpton Monday.

Form: 54/523F-

Pearly Island¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: L Wadham| OR: 111

13/2

Left previous efforts behind when runner-up in maiden at Fontwell in February but needs to bounce back in a significant way following a poor reappearance display at Worcester.

Form: 5/3623-8

Kenny George¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 94| D

16/1

Winner of just one of his 16 starts over hurdles and while he performed with credit on his recent return at Fontwell (17.7f, soft), a clear career-best will be needed from 4 lb out of the handicap here.

Form: 22/P8P-3

Forecasts

Branson Missouri (15/8), Gerico Ville (7/2), Pearly Island (13/2), Optimise Prime (7/1), Icare Grandchamp (15/2), Kenny George (16/1), Heros (16/1), Thirtyfourstitches (18/1), Kannapolis (33/1), Cilaos Glace (66/1)

The mare BRANSON MISSOURI barely broke sweat when making it 2-3 for this yard (and 2-2 under Tom Scudamore) at Worcester last time and a 13 lb rise may not be enough to prevent her from completing the hat-trick. On the assumption that Gerico Ville, who is due to run at Plumpton on Monday, doesn't take his chance the main dangers may be posed by Optimise Prime and handicap debutant Icare Grandchamp.