14:45 Lingfield

Friday 31 January 2025

All13:1513:4514:1514:4515:1515:4816:18

Surrey National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 7m 50.40s

Lady Balko¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 137

11/1

On the up switched to fences this term, completing hat-trick of handicap wins at Hereford last month, until coming in last of 5 in Newbury Listed event last time. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 2-51115

Major Dundee^v⁷⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 130

12/1

Career best when landing the Midlands Grand National in 2023. In the process of running creditably when unseating 2 out in the Eider at Newcastle and should strip fitter with his Bangor reappearance sixth behind him. Weighted to go well.

Form: 1/35PU-6

Here Comes McCoy^p,t⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 130

11/2

Made a promising return when second of 9 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (24f, soft) 52 days ago, looking the likely winner until blundering at the last. Up in trip and well in the mix.

Form: 33113-2

The Two Amigos³²

Age: 13| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 125

11/1

2022 Welsh National victor. Only thrice raced since but posted a good second of 7 to Saint Xavier in handicap chase (20/1) at Haydock (28.4f, soft) 32 days ago. Must enter calculations.

Form: 7317/P2

Passing Well^p,t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 123| C

7/2

Arrives in good nick, cheekpieces on for 1st time when third of 5 in handicap chase at Wincanton (25.1f, soft) 36 days ago. This course scorer needs considering.

Form: 354-223

Hudson De Grugy^v³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 121| C

17/2

Resumed winning ways at Fontwell in December but pulled up in handicap chase at Newbury (26f, good to soft, 12/1) 34 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: F37-P1P

Christopher Wood⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117

11/1

Seventeen runs since his last win in 2021 but he looked rusty after 9 months off when fifth of 6 in handicap chase at Ludlow (23.8f, soft, 10/3) 44 days ago. Could take a sizeable step forward now.

Form: 4/3395-5

Sporting Ace⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 115

6/1

Visored for 1st time, below-form fifth of 11 in handicap chase at Exeter (24.2f, soft, 22/1) 43 days ago. Not ruled out with the headgear dispensed with.

Form: 622-275

Dr Kananga^t⁵⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Rex Dingle| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 115

15/2

Reliable sort who comes here on the back of a solid sixth of 10 in handicap chase at Sandown (28.7f, soft, 22/1) 55 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 22PB4-6

Foxboro^b³³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽³⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 115

40/1

Scored at Exeter (30.7f) last December but laboured efforts since, leaving Robert Walford prior to latest outings at Plumpton and Kelso. Others are more appealing.

Form: 1927-55

Everything'sontick^t³⁰⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: R Patrick| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 113

12/1

Scored at Leicester and Plumpton last season but off 10 months since a poor fifth of 7 in handicap chase at Market Rasen (23.9f). Needs to hit the ground running.

Form: 0/13715-

Saint Xavier^p,t³²

Age: 13| Weight: 10-5| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 112

14/1

Veteran resumed winning ways in 7-runner handicap chase at Haydock (28.4f, soft) 32 days ago by 2¾ lengths from The Two Amigos. Up 6 lb but can't be discounted in his current mood.

Form: 6/P4-541

Non-Runners

The Big Breakaway¹⁵

Weight: 10-13| Age: 10

T: Anthony Charlton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Passing Well (7/2), Here Comes McCoy (11/2), Sporting Ace (6/1), Dr Kananga (15/2), Hudson De Grugy (17/2), Christopher Wood (11/1), The Two Amigos (11/1), Lady Balko (11/1), Everything'sontick (12/1), Major Dundee (12/1), Saint Xavier (14/1), The Big Breakaway (25/1), Foxboro (40/1)

Alan King's MAJOR DUNDEE should be all the better for his reappearance Bangor sixth and this former Midlands Grand National victor can capitalise on a handy-looking mark now returned to a marathon trip. Here Comes McCoy is next on the list on the back of his promising Uttoxeter return, with veterans The Two Amigos and Saint Xavier also in the mix in a very open Surrey National.