2.35pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 17/12/2016

A decent enough race for this 0-65 handicap with some top yards competing for £3,234 in prize money. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Major Ben should go well under John Egan after winning on debut for David Evans at Wolverhampton and he should be there once again at the finish if running to form. BALANCING TIME has been running well over further and can make the most of this significant drop in trip here. He is a strong traveller and the longer trip appeared to stretch him on his last two runs and he can land an overdue success for his in-form yard. Threediamondrings deserves to be in the shake-up on recent form and can follow them home.

1 General Hazard – Back-to-back winner in this grade earlier this month including here on his last star when backed at short odds. Good runner-up sent into a Class 5 latest, producing his best effort too early against a strong finisher. Likely to be involved once again. NON-RUNNER.

2 Major Ben – Previously with William Muir and scored on first start for David Evans when winning over 1m4f at Wolverhampton 15 days ago. Yard in good form and John Egan aboard who is riding well. Likely to be taken on for the lead but has solid place-claims.

3 Balancing Time – Six-race maiden up to Class 5 level. Has been running over 2m recently and not beaten far in two runs at Kempton and Chelmsford. Back down to 1m4f here and his yard are in good form with the Champion jockey taking the ride. Big chance on best form.

4 Limonata – Bushranger gelding who has had five runs so far without placing. Fifth behind Major Ben on first start for this yard since leaving Henry Candy at Wolverhampton 15 days ago and needs a lot more to get even closer to that one here. Connections reach for cheekpieces today.

5 Reckless Wave – Cape Cross filly who won here on her fifth start in July. Did it well enough that day getting up to win by half-a-length and decent second of 12 in a handicap at Newcastle on her final start. Has been off for more than four months and the market will guide as to her expectations coming back from a break – improved to win on second start after a lay-off last time.

6 Threediamondrings – Won on fifth career start here when getting up to score by half-a-length in a Class 6 apprentice event here last month, making all. Followed up with a good third of 11 at Wolverhampton on last start and can run well again here off current mark of 61.

7 Hangman Jury – Only four runs so far for Richard Hughes and has not shown improvement so far. Tenth of 12 on last start in a Class 6 at Kempton and up against it here.

8 Tasteofexcellence – Ran a career- best on fourth start in a Class 5 at Epsom (Good) in July but hasn’t progressed in four ruins at Class 6 level since. Blinkers off here and has to prove stamina for this trip. Easy to overlook this time.

9 Tractive Effort – Makes his handicap debut today for Michael Attwater after three poor runs in Class 5 maidens. Yard in good form but will need a miracle to get involved here.