16:45 Lingfield

Friday 28 February 2025

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

BetUK AWC Middle Distance Trial Handicap (GBB Plus Race)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 4.04s

(7)

Storm Catcher²³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: David Probert| T: S Pearce| OR: 99| CD

22/1

Likeable sort who enhanced fine AW strike rate when narrowly landing the odds in a Wolverhampton handicap (9.5f) 13 months ago. Absent since finishing down the field on turf at Sandown (10f) in July and he may be better for the run here.

Form: 219008-

(6)

Charlotte's Web⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Harry Davies| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 95| CD

4/1

Firmly on the up since handicapping on AW, career-best effort when bringing up the 4-timer in 12-runner C&D handicap 6 weeks ago. Had the run of things then, so further progress required if she's to defy another rise in the weights.

Form: 34111-1

(8)

Penzance⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 94| BF| CD

11/4

Upwardly mobile upon joining this yard last winter, completing handicap 4-timer in this race from a 2 lb lower mark, before a smashing second in Easter Classic at Newcastle in March. Absent since a lesser run at that venue in December but better showing anticipated here.

Form: 0743V6-

(2)

Youthful King¹⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Jack Dace⁽⁷⁾| T: L A Dace| OR: 90| C| D

33/1

Returned to form from out of the blue when taking 9-runner handicap here (12f) in September. Not in same form when seventh of 10 in handicap at Southwell (12.1f, 25/1) a month later but he was a good third in this race 12 months ago.

Form: 5P5617-

(12)

King's Code^v¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jordan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 90

14/1

Nine wins from 35 Flat runs. Four wins from 19 runs last year. Creditable second of 7 in handicap (9/4) at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 11 days ago. Likeable type who looks sure to give another good account of himself.

Form: 6311-42

(10)

Dragon Icon⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 89| BF| C

5/2

Course winner who has returned from a break in good nick, his effort worth marking up when third of 12 in handicap at Newcastle (8f) 42 days ago, having to pick way through. Still unexposed at this sort of trip and respected from 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 49982-3

(3)

Genoah^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Loughnane| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 89

14/1

Improved since stepped up in trip, supplementing his maiden victory when winning 7-runner handicap at Dundalk (10.7f) 16 days ago. Remains lightly raced for his age and he appeals as the type to go on improving.

Form: 89251-1

(4)

Kind Of Kiss²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Paddy Bradley| T: K P De Foy| OR: 88| D

80/1

Fairly useful form in France, winning 10f maiden on second start of 3 starts during first half of 2024. However, went backwards from his reappearance/stable debut effort when eleventh of 12 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f) 21 days ago and step back up in trip needs to have positive effect.

Form: 210-70

(9)

The Glen Rovers³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: S D Bowen| T: L Wadham| OR: 85| BF| D

13/2

Progressive 6-y-o who registered a fourth career victory at Kempton (12f) in December and ran right up to best when close-up fourth of 7 in handicap back at that venue (11f) 37 days ago. Definite claims granted a strong pace to aim at.

Form: 61311-4

(1)

Royal Approval²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 85| D

25/1

Son of Cracksman who showed a tidy turn of foot when making it 2 wins from 4 in 7-runner handicap at Newcastle (1m) 3 weeks ago. Stamina already proven at this trip and whilst this is his toughest ask yet, he may well do better still.

Form: 81-61

(5)

Civil Law^v²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: R A Teal| OR: 83| D

28/1

Returned from 2 months off with a good fifth at Kempton (1m) in December but running below that level more, recently, finishing ninth of 10 in handicap (9/1) at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 27 days ago. Visor reached for now but others more persuasive.

Form: 2055-69

(11)

Urban Sprawl^p²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 79| BF

18/1

Ended a losing run at Pontefract (1m) in October and consistent in defeat subsequently, creditable second of 9 in handicap at Chelmsford City (10f) 29 days ago. However, this a much more demanding assignment.

Form: 15-4342

Forecasts

Dragon Icon (5/2), Penzance (11/4), Charlotte's Web (4/1), The Glen Rovers (13/2), Genoah (14/1), King's Code (14/1), Urban Sprawl (18/1), Storm Catcher (22/1), Royal Approval (25/1), Civil Law (28/1), Youthful King (33/1), Kind Of Kiss (80/1)

Last year's winner PENZANCE has been given a break since a below-par effort at Newcastle in December and, appealing as being on a handy mark, he's selected to bounce back. Irish raider Genoah has improved for the step up in trip and he's feared along with Dragon Icon. Charlotte's Web and Royal Approval complete the shortlist.