2.35pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 07/12/2016

Eight Horses line-up for this Class 3 over 7f today and the winner will receive £7,246 for finishing first past the post. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Grey Mirage will no doubt be popular after his fine third here 25 days ago and can give it a good go if getting a handy position early. He should come on for that run and will make a bold bid to get his nose in front today but he may be vulnerable from his draw and may just come up short against HE’S NO SAINT. He has gone fighting in two defeats recently and he can notch another AW win if ridden prominently again.

1 Grey Mirage – Has won at this course four times and was a good third of 12 in a class 2 handicap here over a mile 25 days ago, his first run after a 206-day break. The second and fourth there have gone in since and although his trainer believes that he is better off over 1m, he’s down in class today should come on for his last run. Big chance on best form despite draw and jockey and trainer in fine form.

2 Mr Bossy Boots – Has won over C&D three times when previously trained by Ralph Beckett the last coming in April in a better race than this, getting up by a ¼ of length. Only twelfth of 16 at Goodwood 133 days ago but drawn poorly that day. Career-high mark of 94 today but clearly prefers the AW with 5 of his 6 wins coming on this surface and solid each-way chance.

3 He’s No Saint – Has won on the AW before when trained by David Marnane and that came at Dundalk. Won here easily when the well-backed favourite in September, making all to score by 2 ½ lengths. Good second at Chelmsford over 7f twenty days ago when positive tactics also employed on him. Yard in good nick and likely to be taken on for the lead today but the manner of his last two defeats suggest there is more to come. Big player.

4 Shyron – Has won over this C&D three times including off this mark but well below form his last two starts at Ascot and then here over this trip 41 days ago. Yard having a lean spell and has to find something against a few of these.

5 Joey’s Destiny – Hasn’t won in fourteen runs since 2014 but lightly-raced this year. Fair fifth at Goodwood on last start 59 days ago. Tends to be held up in his races and facing a few speedy types here. Makes polytrack debut today and good draw, best watched for now.

6 Gallipoli – Lightly-raced sort who was a promising second two starts back at Pontefract when only a neck behind Dutch Mist. Shaped as if he will stay 7f that day and didn’t get the run of the race on final start over 7f at Chester in June. Has been off 165 days and going up against some seasoned AW horses for his polytrack debut. Best watched for now.

7 Pearl Spectre – Has won here before and is 3 from 9 this year. Won back-to-back races at Chelmsford last month although both were in class 4 races and only ninth of 14 in a Handicap there 6 days ago. Up in class again today and may find one or two too good.

8 Steal The Scene – Hasn’t won in eleven runs since scoring at Kempton on the AW last year. Ground was probably against him on his final start for Richard Hannon in September and has since joined Kevin Frost. Bit unlucky when a well-backed favourite on final start here in January and this is tougher. Hard to fancy on recent form and others look stronger. NON-RUNNER.

9 Presumido – Has won here four times and decent fifth of 8 in a Handicap here 26 days ago. Never won off a mark of 81or in a class 3 and looks up against it here.