5.00pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 08/03/2017

Non runners make the final race of the day at Lingfield on Wednesday a nightmare for each way backers, as a field of seven go to post. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Not taking well to hurdles the last twice, David Loughnane’s WYNFORD will be much happier returned to the level and can get back into the winners enclosure today. His latest hurdles run wasn’t a disgrace, being far to keen early on and only weakening out of things with three hurdles to go. Nevertheless, he will be much happier back on the all weather and a mark of 76 will be by no means beyond him if replicating his good fourth at Haydock in October. He handles this surface well as proven in maiden’s and can regain the winning thread with Josephine Gordon taking the ride today.

NR Victoria Pollard – Yet to win on the all weather but when upped to this C&D on her latest start she finished a creditable fourth on Saturday, travelling well but just lacking that final gear change to get past. She should have gained a lot from that experience though and could have more to offer at these marathon trips, but she really has looked one paced this season which has to be of concern. Place possibilities off this mark, but she’s likely to find one of these just too good.

2 ICEBUSTER – Yet to win past the 1m 2f trip on the turf and he is yet to win on the all weather after twenty-five attempts, which has to be of concern. His third when upped to the 1m 5f trip at Chelmsford on his latest start was respectable, staying on reasonably well and all hope isn’t lost in terms of staying this marathon trip. Hard to rule out completely but his record on this surface doesn’t help his case, possible place claims but the win may just be out of reach.

NR Winter Spice – Won on the turf at Nottingham in September (1m 6f, Good to FIrm) so does in theory stay this trip, but he has been soundly beaten on the all weather on both his starts this season, leaving Clive Cox when well beaten at Kempton in January (2m, Std to Slw). First start for Sam Thomas today and the handicapped has refused to relent, keeping him on the same mark as his latest run. Others have far more convincing claims and he’s likely best watched today.

4 AYR OF ELEGANCE – Got off the mark at the thirteenth attempt when winning here on her latest start (1m 4f, Std), and goes up in trip for today’s run off the same mark (win was in a maiden). She has proved in the past that she stays this sort of trip, finishing second at Salisbury in the summer at a comparable trip (1m 6f, Good to Firm). Interesting contender who should remain competitive off this mark and has much more solid claims than most of these. Deserves respect with Richard Kingscote taking the ride.

5 WYNFORD – Handles the surface and won a 1m 6f turf handicap for Andrew Balding back in September and his two hurdling runs this season are best ignored, not quite taking to the obstacles well. His latest run at Kelso in heavy conditions was far from a disgrace, being far too keen early and only weakening out of things at the third last, staying close up until that point. He’ll be much happier back on the level and a mark of 76 is by no means beyond him, with his fourth at Haydock in October proving he can stay these distances well (2m, Good). Josephine Gordon takes the ride and he has to be respected.

6 FREE BOUNTY – Ran a great race at Southwell on his penultimate (1m 6f, Std) start to win comfortably, but he does have to bounce back from a poor run over the same C&D when raised 5lb. Yet to convince at this trip and makes his debut here with quite a few questions to answer, still 4lb above his last winning mark. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him bounce back for the in form Philip McBride team with Silvestre De Sousa taking the ride and he does need a second look.

7 ROCKY ELSOM – All weather and turf winner in 2014 but he returned from a long absence this season with two well beaten runs over hurdles at Lingfield and Ludlow, never threatening on either occasion. Hard to recommend him with how poor those runs were, even if being back on the all weather may help him. He is however still 8lb above his last winning mark on this surface and others make far more appeal today with all things considered.

8 TREBLE STRIKE – Showed ability in an all weather bumper here back in December (2m, Std) but has been well beaten the last twice, the latest of which when never involved at Kempton (1m 4f, Std). Makes his handicap debut today off a lowly mark of 65 which does make him more interesting, as does going up in trip which looks likely to suit based on that bumper run. Possible place claims for Dean Ivory and isn’t one to discount lightly with Jack Duern taking off a useful 3lb.

9 MARSHALL AID – Still a maiden after fourteen attempts but he has been running well of late in staying all weather events, finishing second at Wolverhampton on his latest run two weeks ago (1m 5f, Std). This is much easier than that run and he remains on the same mark, which does make him interesting despite that very poor record. Likely to run a big race if in the same vein of form today and has to be respected with Kieran O’Neill taking the ride.