Racecards
12:20 Lingfield Park
Pontinsbingo.com Handicap (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- £7,500 added
- Form 773112-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer C E Brittain
- Jockey B Doyle
in touch on outer, ridden to lead 2f out, cleared 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, headed close home
- Form 9012-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey M Halford
slowly into stride, soon tracked leader, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened 1f out
- Form 1-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
prominent, ridden and slightly outpaced over 2f out, chased leader 1f out, kept on to lead close home
- Form 24166-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 80
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, outpaced final 2f
- Form 152184-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer P D Evans
- Jockey James Doyle
held up towards rear, progress 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not reached leaders
- Form 13-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer Sir Mark Prescott
- Jockey J Mackay
led to 2f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, outpaced from 2f out
- Form 48171-1
- Age 3
- Weight 8-2
- Official Rating 71
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
Verdict
A tough race granted improving types and we side with Fares ahead of Boscobel and Nordic Affair. The selection could give a form boost to the chances of Hurricane Spirit later in the afternoon and having shown tremendous improvement to give that rival a run for his money last time out, it seems to churlish to ignore his claims against weaker opposition. Boscobel shaped well on debut and looks to have a future. The question is as to whether the handicapper has him right after just one viewing. Nordic Affair has ran well here previously and the evidence suggests that a return to seven furlongs should prove beneficial. Homes By Woodford has progressed from selling company into handicap performer but this is a big ask. Copper King has ability although this is compromised by a tendancy to pull hard. Leonard Charles has raced twice at Wolverhampton and has proved easy to back on both occasions. Minnaah returns from absence. A good race for this time of the year and Fares is the recommendation.
Formwatch
Fares (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Led and set good pace, ridden and headed just over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, always held, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Hurricane Spirit (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo stk (3) pol in Dec.
Nordic Affair 8-1 (9-5) Led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Sweeney (9-5) at Lingfield 1m nov stk (5) pol in Dec.
Boscobel 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and green over 2f out, ran on to lead 1f out, ridden clear, won at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Silmi (9-3) by 3l, 11 ran.
Minaash (USA) 7-2co-fav (9-7) Went left start, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 12l behind Davaye (8-7) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Copper King 16-1 (9-3) Pulled hard, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 5l behind Sharpazmax (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Leonard Charles 7-2 (9-7) Soon chasing leaders, ridden to chase winner and hung left over 2f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Tobago Reef (8-9) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Homes By Woodford 9-4fav (9-3) Behind, headway over 2f out, ran on well to lead close home, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Ranavalona (7-13) by 1/2l, 10 ran.