1.20pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 28/01/2017

An eight runner handicap is the first race of the day at Lingfield on Saturday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Dropped in class after a promising handicap debut, this should be a great opportunity for NICKY BABY to get off the mark. He stayed on well throughout that race and is bound to find this race much easier with a mark of 62 doesn’t look at all beyond him. He should be able to capitalise on this mediocre field and can beat Hazell Berry, who ran a good race behind a well backed improver at Wolverhampton on Monday.

1 NICKY BABY – Only raced four times under rules and wasn’t disgraced despite finishing sixth of eight at Wolverhampton on handicap debut (7f, Std), only beaten around three lengths and always staying on well. Dropped back in class today which should help and has possibilities of a mark of 62 in a mediocre field like this. Likely to run a very good race under Robert Winston and has to be respected.

2 DREAM REVERSION – 0-6 so far and has been less than progressive at sprint trips, producing a lacklustre seventh at Lingfield last week, though staying on (5f, Std). Step up in trip may well suit judging by his runs at six furlongs in the past and the Tom Dascombe team are in form at present with a record of 4-13 in the past two weeks. Entitled to run well as long as his stamina holds out and has to be respected.

3 METRONOMIC – Far from progressive and is still a maiden after ten attempts, though he posted a decent enough effort when third at Wolverhampton five days ago (7f, Std). Stays the trip well and entitled to be in the mix off the same mark today under Kieran O’Neill, but does have to find a length with Hazel Berry. Place claims but its hard to be confident about him for win purposes.

4 AURIC GOLDFINGER – Finished runner up at Wolverhampton on Monday (7f, Std) and races off the same mark today. Was keen that day and if settling better will stand a much better chance today, with Hollie Doyle taking off a useful 5lb. Entitled to run well again despite Stall 7 and has to be respected.

5 RITA’S GIRL – Wasn’t disgraced on three turf runs to start off her career but has been poor on all three of her all weather runs since. Finished tenth of eleven at Wolverhampton on her handicap debut earlier this month and will need to improve a huge amount if she’s to feature today. Impossible to recommend.

6 TIGERFISH – Was only around a length behind Auric Goldfinger at Wolverhampton on Monday (7f, Std), though her record now stands at 0-12. Not at all progressive and has only placed once in her career, which has to be a big concern. Others have far more pressing claims and hard to recommend her today.

7 LILY CLIFF – Has achieved nothing in four runs so far for Paul D’Arcy, finishing eight on handicap debut at Southwell (6f, Std) and well beaten. Connections reach for the tongue which could eek out some improvement, but it will have to be substantial for her to even hit the frame today. Stamina is far from assured either and likely best left alone today.

8 HAZELL BERRY – Still a maiden after ten attempts but hit the post when second at Wolverhampton on Monday, beating all bar a well backed improver (7f, Std). That was a career best and has to be considered a player on the back of that run, with conditions to suit once again. A mark of 46 doesn’t look beyond her and has to be respected today for David Evans and Andrew Mullen.