16:10 Lingfield

Sunday 21 January 2024

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

Winter Million Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 4m 53.71s

Heltenham^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 126| BF| D

8/1

Improved markedly for switch to chasing last term, rattling off hat-trick of handicap victories at Newbury (19.8f) in March. Fell in Silver Trophy final start but resumed with a comfortable success over hurdles in novice company at Wetherby. Shaped better than result back over fences since.

Form: 111F-13

Bucksy Des Epeires²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124| BF| CD

16/1

French recruit who made a winning start for Venetia Williams in maiden company over C&D in November. Stepped up again when chasing home Spirit D'aunou (pair clear) in 2m Sandown handicap next time and claims if a lesser run at Aintree since can be forgiven.

Form: 0/2F-124

The Doyen Chief⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 123

5/1

Successful sole start in Irish points and followed up with a bit in hand in 9-runner bumper at Hereford in April. Narrow defeat on his Ludlow hurdles debut (21.2, soft) before landing the odds without any fuss at Market Rasen. More to come now handicapping.

Form: F11-21

Inthewaterside⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 120| BF| D

4/1

Physically imposing sort who was unbeaten in 2 bumper runs and maintained 100% record despite the race not being run to suit when landing 11-runner Aintree maiden hurdle (20f) on return in October. Drop to 2m against him at Ascot and he remains one to be positive about.

Form: 11-14

Elogio^t,v1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 117| D

8/1

Wide-margin winner of Aintree bumper on debut/sole start for Richard Bandey in November 2022. Fair form over hurdles for current yard, overcoming mistakes when off the mark in handicap company at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Visor replaces cheekpieces.

Form: 22-2651

Kintail³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 116| D

13/2

Confirmed debut promise when landing a Warwick bumper in May, despite still looking a shade rough around the edges. Had more in hand than the margin implies when following up on hurdles bow at that venue and he was a shade too keen to build on that at Cheltenham. Retains plenty of potential.

Form: 2-114

Canty Bay³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 115| D

12/1

Upped his game significantly when winning 11-runner novice hurdle at Taunton (19f, good to soft) on return. Running well (probably would have finished second) when falling 2 out at Wincanton next time and remains with potential. Has to be of interest on handicap debut.

Form: 43/86-1F

Tea And Chats²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 108

28/1

From a good jumps family and fair form when placed twice in novice hurdle. Was returning from a year off when third at Fontwell on Boxing Day so he's entitled to strip fitter now. Handicap newcomer.

Form: 4725-3

Pretending⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: 2nd Preference| T: L Wadham| OR: 106| D

11/1

Consistent in the main and confirmed the promise of her reappearance as she opened her account as a hurdler in 5-runner handicap at Sandown (19.8f, heavy) last month, seeing out the longer trip on testing ground much better than might have been expected.

Form: 2282-F1

He's A Latchico⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 104| D

5/1

Left novice form behind switched to handicaps during the summer, scoring twice at up to 19f (also scored on the Flat in July). Proved that he handles slow ground after all when a solid second at Sandown (2m, heavy) last month.

Form: 5-81162

Tellmesomethingood³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: R T Dunne| T: J R Boyle| OR: 103| BF

16/1

Low-mileage 6-y-o who was having only his second outing in a handicap when narrowly denied over 2m at Plumpton last month. A 5 lb rise doesn't help but he remains unexposed now stepping up in trip.

Form: 453-32

Non-Runners

Rich Spirit³³

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: J Parkinson & S Smith J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Inthewaterside (4/1), He's A Latchico (5/1), The Doyen Chief (5/1), Kintail (13/2), Elogio (8/1), Heltenham (8/1), Rich Spirit (10/1), Pretending (11/1), Canty Bay (12/1), Tellmesomethingood (16/1), Bucksy Des Epeires (16/1), Tea And Chats (28/1)

KINTAIL still looks a work-in-progress for his top yard but that arguably increases his appeal now he goes handicapping from what could be a lenient mark, so he is perhaps the way to go. This trip looks more suitable for Inthewaterside so he needs to go on the shortlist, with Canty Bay another of firm interest in what looks a strong race for the grade.