2.00pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 08/03/2017

A field of twelve go to post for a typically very competitive Lingfield handicap on Wednesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Despite a 9lb rise, Zabdi remains dangerous and has to be respected but it looks worth going with MAJESTIC MYLES in this. A listed winner in his heyday, he is now down to a career low mark and was far from disgraced on his latest start here despite his finishing position of ninth. He kept on that day without being able to challenge, so the step up to the mile looks perfect for him and if anywhere near the form of his placed effort at Chelmsford in October, he’s likely to be in there swinging come the finish.

1 SPIRITUAL STAR – Now very well treated on the best of his form, but he has been firmly out of sorts this season, last seen well beaten at Chelmsford in February (1m, Std) He has however been dropped a further 2lb by the handicapper and he does drop in class for this run for Lee Carter, which does make him interesting. If back to his best, he’s likely to be very dangerous off a mark of 65 and as a previous C&D winner, he clearly isn’t one to underestimate. Risky but very interesting.

2 WINK OLIVER – In good form at present, winning at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start by quite some margin (7f, Std). He was however held when trying to go back to back over the same C&D on his latest start, staying on well but unable to threaten. He is certainly capable off this mark and isn’t one to discount, but this trip tends to stretch his stamina and others will certainly be staying on stronger. Looks vulnerable and possibly best watched.

3 STORMBOUND – Has been in fair form the last thrice, though is yet to really threaten for the race victory. On his latest start, he was a disappointing fifth at Kempton and well beaten, never able to get competitive (1m, Std). Still 4lb above his last winning mark and more is required today if he’s to be involved, despite him going down in class. Others are readily preferred and looks set for a supporting role at best today.

4 ZABDI – Took advantage of a low mark when getting a well deserved victory at Kempton in his latest start under an inspired rider from Josephine Gordon, making all and kicking clear on the bend, stealing an unassailable lead (1m, Std). He has been raised 9lb as a result but he did win that last race comfortably and he retains the services of Josie Gordon, with stall four giving him a great opportunity to get the lead. Has to be respected, as if showing the same turn of foot this time around, he looks likely to be a very strong contender.

5 POLAR KITE – Managed to get his head back in front here on his latest start (7f, Std), running on very strongly to snatch victory close to the finish. The 2lb rise has to be of concern though as he is yet to overcome this sort of mark since early 2016 and this trip doesn’t seem to be his optimum also. Looks vulnerable for Michael Attwater and Rob Hornby and others are certainly much better handicapped, so is probably best watched.

6 GREYFRIARSCHORISTA – Typically happier on the fibresand surface nowadays and this ten year old has certainly seen his best days past him by, though this previous C&D winner is now on a career low mark. He has however been well beaten on his latest three starts and others certainly arrive in much better form, with his latest ninth of eleven at Southwell a particularly poor effort. Others make far more appeal and he’s likely best watched again, despite Adam Kirby taking the ride.

7 FREDDY WITH A Y – Hadn’t shown much this season before finishing a creditable second at Kempton on his latest start (1m, Std), and would have place claims if replicating that effort off the same mark today. He has placed here in the past off higher marks, but this highly tried seven year old hasn’t been at his best for a while. As previously stated, he is likely to hit the frame if replicating that previous effort, but that is far from guaranteed and others are much higher on the list today.

8 GEORGE BAKER – George Baker’s aptly named ten year old who hasn’t been disgraced in two runs this season, but didn’t shape as though his time was near when well beaten in sixth at Wolverhampton (7f, Std) on his latest start. Going back up in trip is likely to suit and he’s now down to a very low mark, but he hasn’t won for a good while now and his best days are clearly behind him. He can be easily opposed today.

9 TSUNDOKU – Better known as a hurdler these day’s who could be very well treated on the best of her Irish flat form, though she drops back markedly in trip which isn’t certain to suit. She won a hurdling race in January in good style at Wetherby, but that was at the 2m 3f trip and the mile looks very unlikely to suit at this stage in her career. Possible place contenders if they really motor through the race, but in all likelihood she will be outpaced in this and looks booked for a struggle.

10 COSMIC RAY – Has been struggling in the main now for a good number of years, with a few good efforts dotted around, but those are very few and far between. He did show a bit more promise on his latest start at Kempton when sixth of eight, albeit well beaten (1m, Std). Handicapped relents another 4lb and he is now 11lb below his last winning mark, but he makes little appeal at present and others look far more likely to be winning this today.

11 SHIFTING STAR – Has been tumbling down the weights this season and posted another poor effort when well beaten at Kempton in December (1m 2f, Std), and hasn’t been seen since. He is certainly capable of this mark, running into a place off 9lb higher in October and cannot be fully dismissed, but he isn’t showing any signs that he will capitalise on near career low mark. Of showing more under 7lb claimer Jane Elliott he could have small each way claims, but he is very risky.

12 MAJESTIC MYLES – Very smart performer in his heyday, winning the Chester City Plate back in July 2012, though age has obviously creeped up to him over the year’s, now at the age of nine. He’s now down to a mark of 59 which is a career low and he wasn’t disgraced despite his finishing position of ninth here on his latest start, keeping on without managing to threaten. On that evidence, the step up in trip should certainly suit and being a winner at this track off a 28lb higher mark just over a year ago, he is certainly very capable off this mark. He isn’t one to take likely and has to be respected for Lee Carter and Kieran O’Neill.