13:37 Lingfield

Saturday 21 January 2023

All11:5512:2713:0213:3714:1214:4715:2215:57

Huge Daily Boosts Only At BetUK Handicap

Off time: 13:39 | Winning time: 2m 3.55s

(4)

Stepney Causeway^p⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 82

100/1

Useful winner at 19f over hurdles. Ran poorly on first run since leaving Dan Skelton when last of 5 in handicap chase (17/2) at Wincanton (15.7f, good to soft) in November. Reverts to this sphere for the first time since 2020 but tough to support on recent evidence.

Form: 0142/

(10)

Tarbaan^b,t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 82| D

9/1

Three wins from 10 runs last year, latest at Chelmsford City in December. Creditable fourth of 10 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f, 5/2) 25 days ago, staying on after short of room over 2f out. This mark is clearly not beyond him on that evidence.

Form: 393514-

(3)

Dream Harder²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: James Doyle| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81| D

7/2

Thriving for new yard, completing the hat-trick under a penalty at Newcastle (10.2f) 24 days ago. 5 lb higher today but has to be respected in his current mood with James Doyle an eye-catching jockey booking.

Form: 555111-

(9)

Pistoletto^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Loughnane⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 80| C| D

13/2

Fourteen runs since last win in 2022.10/3, last of 7 in handicap at this course (12f, AW) a fortnight ago. Rider takes off a handy 7 lb here and with drop back in trip no issue, he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 40063-7

(7)

Sweet Fantasy^p³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 80

17/2

Winner at Southwell in December. 12/1, respectable fourth of 10 in handicap at this C&D (AW) 30 days ago, having run of race. Certainly not out of things.

Form: 234214-

(6)

Paris Lights^t³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: G Boughey| OR: 80| CD

11/4

Showed improved form for new yard (sold for 60,000 gns and also gelded) when winning 6-runner minor event at this C&D (AW) 30 days ago, leading around 3f out. Looks a decent type physically and there could be more to come now moving into handicaps.

Form: 53/5781-

(11)

Young Fire^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: D O'Meara| OR: 77

28/1

Twenty eight runs since last win in 2021. 5/1, not disgraced when fourth of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 18 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 49443-4

(1)

Baby Steps^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: D Loughnane| OR: 76

28/1

Latest win at Wolverhampton in October. 9/2, again ran creditably when third of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 22 days ago, well positioned.

Form: 331323-

(2)

Night Bear^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: A W Carroll| OR: 74| D

25/1

Three wins from 10 runs last year, latest at Southwell in October. 6/1, ran creditably in pursuit of the hat-trick when third of 8 in handicap at Southwell (11.1f) 30 days ago, having run of race. More needed.

Form: 430113-

(12)

Marion's Boy^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: R A Teal| OR: 73| CD

14/1

4-time C&D winner. Again ran well when third of 7 in handicap (4/1) at this course (12f, AW) a fortnight ago, every chance inside final 1f. One to consider.

Form: 68052-3

(5)

Obsidian Knight¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: T Kent| OR: 73| CD

11/2

C&D winner in October. 7/2, creditable second of 7 in handicap at this course (12f, AW) a fortnight ago. Each-way claims.

Form: 09142-2

(8)

Forge Valley Lad²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: D M Simcock| OR: 71| C| D

22/1

Course winner. Shaped better than the distance beaten suggested when sixth of 10 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f, 18/1) 25 days ago, never nearer but not knocked about. Entitled to be sharper today so worth a market check.

Form: 328126-

Forecasts

Paris Lights (11/4), Dream Harder (7/2), Obsidian Knight (11/2), Pistoletto (13/2), Sweet Fantasy (17/2), Tarbaan (9/1), Marion's Boy (14/1), Forge Valley Lad (22/1), Night Bear (25/1), Young Fire (28/1), Baby Steps (28/1), Stepney Causeway (100/1)

Cases can be made for several but at the likely prices FORGE VALLEY LAD is selected to regain the winning thread after shaping much better than the distance beaten suggested at Wolverhampton last month. He's entitled to be sharper for that outing and any market support would only enhance his claims. Pistoletto has dropped to a handy mark so he could emerge as the main danger with a talented 7 lb claimer on board, ahead of Paris Lights and Sweet Fantasy.