12.50pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 12/11/2016

One of two Listed races today at Lingfield in what should be an interesting race with some top yards represented.

IN SUMMARY: As a winner over this course, Gracious John has to be respected with a healthy strike-rate this year. Aeolus and Kimberella finished 2nd and 3rd respectively behind the improving Fahey horse Growl in the Wentworth at Doncaster last week and can be expected to go well again. The selection however is Lord Of The Land, a rapidly improving horse who could be up to winning this with his trainer adept at eking out more improvement from horses of his type.

1 Aeolus – Hasn’t won since 2015 but an excellent second behind Growl in the Wentworth (Listed) at Doncaster last weekend. Makes his Polytrack debut today and will be tough to beat if replicating that form.

2 Captain Colby – Stablemate of Aeolus also making Polytrack debut. Won at Doncaster back in September when stayed on strongly to beat off a pair from the stable of George Baker. Last of 20 in a Handicap at York just over a month ago and looks up against it judged on that.

3 Dhamaan – Below form when finishing 6th of 12 in a Group 3 at Maisons-Lafitte 11 days ago. Has a lot of improvement to find to trouble some of these.

4 Gracious John – 12 runs this year has yielded 3 wins. Won an 8 runner handicap at Nottingham 10 days ago recording a personal best RPR of 112 and this smart colt looks competitive from this mark. Won easily by 2 ¾ lengths from a smart one of William Haggas’ and dangerous to discount.

5 Kimberella – Finished 3 lengths behind Growl in the Wentworth at Doncaster last weekend this smart gelding has won 3 times from 17 runs this year. Won at Ripon in September keeping on well to score by 1 ¼ lengths but it is a concern his last AW run came back in April 2013.

6 Lord Of The Land – Rapidly improving horse who ran a career best when beating a 14-runner field in a 7f Handicap here 16 days ago when scoring unchallenged by 2 lengths. Stable is in good form and should again run his race although he won’t be afforded an easy lead here with a further penalty to carry.

7 Medicean Man – Veteran who is still showing signs of ability finishing 2nd and then 3rd in Listed races in his last two starts at Dundalk and Ascot last month. That was decent form and another placed finished beckons.

8 Mythmaker – Below form at York on his last start when finishing 13 of 20 but had previously won at Thirsk back in September making all to score by a short head on good to firm. Will need a career-best to trouble some of these today.

9 Outback Traveller – Won the Wokingham back in June but has not scaled the dizzy heights of that win since. C&D winner but found little when 3 ¾ lengths fifth of 9 at Ascot 42 days ago. Has a good chance on form but others look to have better chances.

10 Realize – 4-time C&D winner and has won 10 times in his career. Last 6 wins have come over 7f/1m but below form latest when 9th of 14 in a Newmarket handicap 14 days ago. May well find it tough again.

11 Rivellino – Only won once in the last 21 months but is a dual Listed winner over this course and trip and despite finishing 41/2 lengths of 6 behind Lord Of The Land 38 days ago goes well fresh and could have a say if ready to go on this surface.

12 Jane’s Memory – Useful filly who won at Haydock back in May on good to soft staying on nicely. Miles behind The Happy Prince over at the Curragh 48 days ago finishing last and the time before ran into 6th in the Sprint Cup (Group 1) at Haydock (won by Quiet Reflection). Needs to bounce back and has a horrible draw but not discounted on best form.