15:35 Lingfield

Sunday 21 January 2024

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Fitzdares Surrey National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 7m 37.71s

Fern Hill^t1⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 132WS

10/1

Won twice over hurdles and runner-up 4 times over fences prior to deservedly getting his head in front at Uttoxeter (22.5f) over a year ago. Finally returned to that level when third at Chepstow on his comeback last month and claims if building on that sporting a first-time tongue strap.

Form: 19P44-3

Only The Bold^p,t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 132

66/1

Fairly useful hurdles winner for Evan Williams and proved a different proposition over fences in headgear for present connections last term, scoring at Bangor and Hereford. Back in the doldrums this season, however.

Form: 114-8PP

Hold That Taught³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 130| C

15/2

Often held back by his jumping/attitude but did little wrong when taking advantage of drop in the weights at Ascot on his return and backed that up when overcoming a couple of errors at Bangor. Must be respected up 5 lb.

Form: 4596-11

Dr Kananga^t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 125

11/1

Progressive staying chaser in 2021/22 but disappointed last term and not much encouragement at Haydock on return last month.

Form: 2/2070-6

Laskalin²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 125

14/1

Ex-French winner but well held last 5 starts, including all 3 this season.

Form: 28P-656

Regal Blue²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123

4/1

Easy winner on second start in points and impressed when making winning Rules/hurdles debut at Ffos Las (20f, soft) a year ago. Positive start over fences when placed at Leicester/Haydock and marathon trip here could suit. Needs considering.

Form: 116-P32

Notachance^p²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 122| D

18/1

Not quite the force of old but largely acquitted himself well last term, culminating with third of 17 in Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March. However, well held both starts this term.

Form: 4373-08

Blade Runner^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 122

20/1

Prolific over fences, making it 5 wins from only 6 starts in this sphere at Plumpton in November. Ran poorly over hurdles at Ascot next time before finding Welsh National too competitive.

Form: 3-311PP

Mumbo Jumbo^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 119

14/1

Yet to win a race of any description but firmly back on track when third at Exeter. Excuses there since but not sure to stay this far.

Form: 342-U3P

Animal²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 118

10/3

Won at Kempton in March and excellent start to this season, runner-up at Leicester on return before career-best win at Sandown. Good close third (neck in front of O'Connell) at Market Rasen (27.6f) since and remains unexposed over marathon trips.

Form: 214-213

Not Sure^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 116

11/2

Building up a solid record over fences, winning on 3m Wetherby reappearance and third of 10 at Sandown (3m, heavy) next time. Far from disgraced from 12 lb out of the handicap when fourth in Welsh National at Chepstow since, albeit beaten a distance. Should be a bigger factor here.

Form: 313-134

Movethechains^b³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 115| C

15/2

Took a step back in the right direction when third of 5 in handicap chase (11/2) at Fontwell (27.7f, soft) but let down by his jumping in this headgear at Plumpton since. Opposable.

Form: 2P-P83U

Non-Runners

Manothepeople³⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: F O'Brien J: Tom Broughton

O'Connell²⁶

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: J Parkinson & S Smith J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Animal (10/3), Regal Blue (4/1), Not Sure (11/2), O'Connell (6/1), Movethechains (15/2), Hold That Taught (15/2), Fern Hill (10/1), Dr Kananga (11/1), Laskalin (14/1), Mumbo Jumbo (14/1), Manothepeople (14/1), Notachance (18/1), Blade Runner (20/1), Only The Bold (66/1)

REGAL BLUE is almost certainly ahead of his mark if putting everything together so this unexposed sort could be the answer stepping up in trip. There wasn't much between Animal and O'Connell in a bunched finish to the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and they head the dangers.