15:05 Lingfield

Monday 11 December 2023

All12:3513:0513:3514:0514:3515:0515:35

Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 4m 53.76s

Zacony Rebel^p1⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes| OR: 120

28/1

Dual winner in this sphere as a novice and made a winning chase debut at Fontwell last October. Disappointing since, though, and hopes pinned on the addition of cheekpieces/return to this sphere sparking a return to form.

Form: 1364-8U

Joker De Mai³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 118

3/1

Useful chaser in France, winning final 2 starts on that side of the Channel during the spring. Positives to glean from effort in a novice hurdle at Newbury (16.3f, good to soft) on debut for new yard last month and needs a close look back up in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 62211-4

Diablo De Rouhet⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Daniel Kyne⁽⁷⁾| T: K Davis| OR: 118| D

200/1

Developed into a useful chaser in 2019 but, following a lengthy absence, he struggled in 5 runs last year and offered very little on debut for yard at Warwick (21f, good) in October.

Form: 35P5P-P

I'd Like To Know³¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 118| D

8/1

Worcester maiden winner on Rules debut last October and, having found Grade 2 company too much at Sandown next time, he took a step back in the right direction when going close at Fontwell (17.7f, soft) in January. May have more to offer now handicapping.

Form: 2/162-

Kansas Du Berlais^t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114| D

7/2

Back-to-back winner at Fontwell during the spring and entitled to come on for reappearance fourth in a Sandown handicap (19.8f, soft) last month. 2 lb lower now and he's not discounted.

Form: 24117-4

Awaythelad^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 113

13/2

Showed fair form in a trio of starts in bumpers and again over hurdles last term, placed 3 times in maiden/novice company. However, he was put in his place on handicap debut/return at Ascot and others make more appeal.

Form: 5/23P2-7

Colonial Empire³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 113

14/1

Progressive last season, winning 3 times, and stepped up on his low-key reappearance when third of 9 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft). Mark unchanged and should make his presence felt.

Form: 1161-03

Hallwood^h1,t²⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M G Rimell| OR: 112

18/1

Different proposition on the back of a wind op when making second hurdles start a winning one in maiden company at Carlisle in February. No surprise that he struggled in an Aintree Grade 1 on final start of last season and this is a far more realistic assignment. Hood applied.

Form: 8/71P-

Brook Bay^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110

9/2

Expensive purchase from points who showed plenty in pair of maiden/novice hurdles prior to a lesser display on handicap debut at Cheltenham in November. Well worth another chance in view of initial promise. Yard also saddles Rocco Royale.

Form: 19-238

Rocco Royale²⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110| D

8/1

Progressive sort who confirmed the encouragement of his previous run when landing a 6-runner novice at Fontwell (19.2f, good to soft) on latest start in April. That form looks decent (runner-up has won twice since) and he's open to improvement now handicapping.

Form: 6531-

Naturally High²²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 97| C

25/1

Offered little in 3 starts last season following a lengthy absence. Yard saddles a stronger candidate in Kansas du Berlais.

Form: 611/P6P-

Forecasts

Joker De Mai (3/1), Kansas Du Berlais (7/2), Brook Bay (9/2), Awaythelad (13/2), I'd Like To Know (8/1), Rocco Royale (8/1), Colonial Empire (14/1), Hallwood (18/1), Naturally High (25/1), Zacony Rebel (28/1), Diablo De Rouhet (200/1)

Several to consider in this competitive handicap and ROCCO ROYALE could be the answer. He progressed during his novice campaign, cosily seeing off a dual subsequent winner when last seen during the spring, and he can be expected to kick on again now venturing down the handicap route. Colonial Empire is next on the list on the back of a creditable effort at Musselburgh, while French-import Joker de Mai, the selection's stablemate Brook Bay and unexposed Hallwood are others to consider.