Nine runners have been declared for an interesting 3yo handicap over 1m2f at Lingfield on Wednesday. Read our full race preview for our experts’ betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: The booking of Frankie Dettori for Al Shahaniya catches the eye and John Quinn’s filly needs to be taken seriously, given she went very close off today’s mark at Brighton recently and is unexposed over this trip. However, it’s worth noting that both she and hat-trick-seeker Hollywood Road were ridden by very promising claimers when last in action and don’t have that edge here. The preferred option is WAPPING, who only made his seasonal reappearance this month but shaped with considerable promise and could build on that performance. The William Haggas-trained handicap debutante, In The City, is another for the shortlist.
1 Hollywood Road – Has made excellent progress this season and is 2-2 since upped to 1m2f this month, the wins gained at Newmarket and Sandown; the handicapper continues to turn the screw but there’s every chance he’ll make a bold bid to complete a hat-trick.
2 Goldenfield – Began the season with two front-running wins in the spring (1m2f/1m4f) and comes here after posted a good effort to finish second of five at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) eight days ago; seemingly in the handicapper’s grip now, though.
3 Frozen Force – Three wins this season, the latest when fitted with first-time cheekpieces in a small-field event at Brighton (1m2f, good) this month; subsequent 4lb rise demands further progress, though, and he needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort last time.
4 Al Shahaniya – Campaigned mainly at around 7f but was suited by the step up to 1m2f when a very close second at Brighton (1m2f, good to firm) recently; finished over 4l clear of the third that day, runs off the same mark here and has the services of Frankie Dettori.
5 Wapping – Won Bath maiden (1m2f, good to firm) on fourth 2yo start and travelled strongly for a long way when creditable third on belated seasonal/handicap debut this month; been raised 4lb for that but could easily have more to offer if more settled in the early stages this time.
6 In The City – Has a good pedigree and didn’t need to improve on promise shown in two 7f Newmarket maidens when winning over 1m there last month; not certain to benefit from today’s step up in trip but has obvious potential to progress now switched to a handicap.
7 Malmoosa – Reached the frame in first two handicaps (11.6f/1m2f) but doesn’t appear to be progressing and had to settle for third back in a maiden last time, having set a fast pace in first-time cheekpieces (now removed); probably won’t be far away but others appeal more.
8 California Lad – Took nine attempts to win a maiden and it’s unwise to be wildly excited about the form of his success in a small-field C&D event this month; makes handicap debut off a realistic mark but this race looks quite competitive.
9 Totally Committed – Non-runner
myracing Forecast Prices: 9/4 In The City, 3/1 Wapping, 4/1 Al Shahaniya, 6/1 Hollywood Road, 10/1 Malmoosa, 12/1 Goldenfield, 16/1 Frozen Force, California Lad