4.00pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 25/05/2016

IN SUMMARY: A middle draw is not perfect for GEORGE CINQ (5/1) here but he ran a blinder when third over 1m on fast ground at Newmarket recently and, with today’s shorter trip and slower ground both in his favour, he can strike on his third start for George Scott. Felix Leiter also comes here after an excellent run at Newmarket and is respected, but he’s been dealt a duff hand draw-wise with stall 1 and might be one for another day. Aqua Ardens ought to be suited by today’s conditions and is a player if building on his satisfactory seasonal reappearance. Air Of York is more speculative but is on a handy mark and it’s always wise to have a second look at the horse drawn against the nearside rail on the straight turf course at this track.

1 Felix Leiter – Seems very versatile ground-wise and was evidently suited by the step up to 7f when ending his 2015 campaign with two very good efforts; also ran with considerable credit when third at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) recently but stall 1 makes things awkward here.

2 Spiriting – Took seven attempts to get off the mark for Luca Cumani and was allowed to dominate from the front at a steady tempo when doing so, at Leicester (8.3f, good to firm) in June; absent since a lesser effort the following month; dropped back in trip with cheekpieces added on debut for Roger Varian.

3 George Cinq – Built upon encouraging seasonal/stable debut and ran a big race from the front when third at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) recently; today’s drop back in trip looks the right move and the slower ground won’t be a problem; one to consider.

4 Passing Star – Lightly raced and out of sorts since summer 2014; made some late headway at Newmarket recently and is another 6lb lower here but not drawn well today and more conclusive evidence of a return to form is needed.

5 Shyron – Has gained most of his wins on the AW, the latest in Class 2 event here in March, and been seen only rarely on turf in recent years; runs off lower mark on this surface but has to bounce back from a disappointing Polytrack effort 18 days ago and probably needs the ground to dry out.

6 Aqua Ardens – Made satisfactory seasonal reappearance over 8.6f on Tapeta and ought to be happier now dropped to 7f and returned to turf; only 2lb higher than when overcome traffic problems to score at Chepstow (7f, soft) in September and is fairly well drawn here; could have a say.

7 Misterioso – Yet to add to his 2yo maiden win for Richard Hannon in July 2014; stayed on well for very respectable sixth at Newmarket on recent seasonal/stable debut but combination of low draw and slower ground could scupper his chance here.

8 Carnival King – Placed at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good) last summer, his second handicap, and remains quite lightly raced but both his runs this season have been disappointing and connections now reach for the headgear; others have much less to prove.

9 Popeswood – Signed off for Mick Channon with Newmarket win (7f, soft) in October but been well below that form on both starts for new stable this month; 6f on good ground was probably too sharp on the first occasion but conditions ought to have suited at Chepstow on Saturday.

10 Air Of York – Not really firing on all cylinders this year and has modest 1-20 strike-rate on turf; not easy to fancy on that evidence but has slipped to a handy mark, is not yet fully exposed over 7f and has a favourable draw against the nearside rail; not ruled out.

11 Bold – Soundly beaten in two handicaps after wide-margin Kempton maiden win (7f, AW) for Roger Charlton in April 2015 and was well-beaten 50/1 shot when dropped back to 6f for new stable this month; expect him to come good for Stuart Williams at some stage, but he may need further help from the handicapper first.

myracing Forecast Prices: 7/2 Spiriting, Felix Leiter, George Cinq, 7/1 Misterioso, 10/1 Shyron, Aqua Ardens, Carnival King, 14/1 Passing Star, 20/1 Popeswood, Air Of York, Bold