14:45 Lingfield

Thursday 22 February 2024

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

Support The Injured Jockeys Fund Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 23.68s

Ballybay^h,t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Rob Hargreaves⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore

20/1

Sent off favourite when fading into seventh in a big-field bumper at the 2022 Punchestown Festival (only start for Willie Mullins). More one for handicaps judged on his efforts over hurdles for this yard since returning from an absence.

Form: 7/60

Ballyvaughan Bay²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys

11/1

Second in a Fakenham maiden on his hurdle/stable debut in December but it was a weak race and he was well held at Plumpton 6 weeks later.

Form: F9/F-29

Captain Howse³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: M Goldstein| T: K Jewell

100/1

Modest handicapper on Flat and well held on his completed start over hurdles at Plumpton for his new stable in recent months.

Form: 0P

Hidden History³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon

4/6

Sold for £45,000 after easily winning an Irish point last February and made a promising start to his hurdle career when 8 lengths third of 16 in 2m Newbury novice last month. The strength of his finish on that occasion suggests this longer trip will suit. Leading claims.

Form: 1-3

Home Free⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

6/4

Plenty of promise when placed in a couple of bumpers last season and similar comments apply to opening effort over hurdles at Huntingdon (2m, soft) 7 weeks ago. Open to progress.

Form: 23-3

Meetmeatthearch⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: R Rowe

80/1

Winning pointer but pulled up in novice hurdles 8 months apart. Easily passed over.

Form: 51/P-P

My Fernando^h,t1²⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Quinlan| T: B Brookhouse

18/1

Third in a Worcester bumper for Ian Williams in June 2022 but below form in similar races for new stable the following summer. Off another 8 months ahead of this hurdle debut with a first-time tongue tie added to his hood.

Form: 3-85

Simon The Seagull³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: N F Houlihan| T: Mrs D Grissell

200/1

Big prices and no show in an AW bumper here and novice hurdle at Plumpton.

Form: 0P

On The Nose¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: A West

200/1

Poor handicapper on Flat (stays 1¼m). 200/1, swerved and unseated first on Plumpton hurdle debut 10 days ago.

Form: U

Non-Runners

Scotch On Da Rocks¹⁰⁴⁸

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: B Pauling J: Ben Jones

Forecasts

Hidden History (4/6), Home Free (6/4), Scotch On Da Rocks (9/2), Ballyvaughan Bay (11/1), My Fernando (18/1), Ballybay (20/1), Meetmeatthearch (80/1), Captain Howse (100/1), Simon The Seagull (200/1), On The Nose (200/1)

There was plenty to like about HIDDEN HISTORY's opening effort over hurdles at Newbury last month and he can build on that promise with victory. Home Free looks the obvious danger unless the betting vibes are strong surrounding returning Ben Pauling point winner Scotch On Da Rocks.