3.30pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 18/02/2017

An open looking Class 2 Handicap arrives fifth on Lingfield’s Saturday card. Read our full race preview on the race and experts’ tips below.

IN SUMMARY: Last time out winner Poyle Vinnie is in good form and shouldn’t be too far away, but he’s on a stiff mark and drawn poorly today. Therefore this one can go to FAST TRACK who has the services of in-form jockey Josephine Gordon and won after a break last time after being well backed. He is still well treated on his old form and has a good record on the all weather. Zac Brown looks to have strong place claims.

1 POYLE VINNIE – Won for the first since 2015 when getting his head in front on the fibresand at Southwell last month. Ran some solid races prior to that but has the worst of the draw today and over 6 furlongs at Lingfield it will be a very tough ask for him to follow up. In addition to that, he is up 6lb after that last win (Alistar Rawlinson takes 3lb off), and he’s never won off a mark this high (103).

2 KADRIZZI – Likes it on the all weather, has only finished out of the frame once in eight starts on an artificial surface. Hasn’t been seen since September of last year, but was in good form then, running some solid races in competitive handicaps including a win in a Class 2 at Ascot. Others will have a fitness edge though and he’s on a tough mark for win purposes.

3 DOUGAN – In form jockey Adam Kirby climbs aboard and takes the ride today, he’s operating off a good 21% strike rate this season and tops the All Weather Jockey’s Championship currently. Dougan is another who likes it on the all weather, the horse has a 50% strike rate having won 6 starts from 12 (2 from 2 at Lingfield) on it. The step up to 6 furlongs is a positive and he’s likely to be involved in the fight for the places.

4 KASBAH – Scored over today’s course & distance in a Class 2 last month and the 5lb rise shouldn’t be enough to stop him being competitive. Today’s track suits the horse and it is worth noting both trainer; Amanda Perrett (+£25.98) & jockey; Jack Mitchell (+£37.39) have impressive strike rates so far this season.

5 DOCTOR SARDONICUS – Is still 4lb above his last winning mark, but ran well to finish 2nd to Lancelot Du Lac at Chelmsford near the start of the year. He was upped a 1lb for that but the gelding rarely runs a bad race and should be competitive. He could have been better drawn than the stall 7 he is in today however.

6 ZAC BROWN – Lost out by only a neck to Boomerany Bob at Chelmsford last time, running on well at the finish. He’s gone up 2lb for that putting him on a mark of 90, but he won off the same mark in a Class 2 last year. His two efforts before his last run were very solid too, finishing 3rd at today’s course (running on) & winning at Wolverhampton. Has a good draw in berth 3 and should go close.

7 SUQOOR – His current form doesn’t make for good reading and it is hard to see him figure today, the gelding has finished last on both of his last two starts. Although he’s slowly falling down the weights, he’s still 6lb above his last winning mark, and he steps back up in class today, best watched.

8 FAST TRACK – Made a winning return to action after a short break, when taking a Class 4 event at Wolverhampton last month. The rise in the weights for that victory still leaves him well treated though and should have a great chance today on the back of that run. Josephine Gordon takes the ride and she is in red hot form at the moment, she’s won on 4 of her last 8 mounts and has an impressive +£48.25 level stakes profit in the past two weeks.

9 SWISS CROSS – Has a 25% win rate at the course from 16 runs, so clearly shows some good form here and has to be respected. Another positive is that Hollie Doyle takes the ride, she has a 20% strike rate in the past two weeks. The horse she rides today, the 10 year old Swiss Cross, is still running creditably in his older years, but has a rise in class to deal with and is out of the weights, unlikely to be involved.

myracing Forecast Prices – Poyle Vinnie 3/1, Doctor Sardonicus 9/2, Kasbah 5/1, Dougan 6/1, Kadrizzi 6/1, Fast Track 8/1, Zac Brown 8/1, Swiss Cross 20/1, Suqoor 25/1