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Lingfield’s 5th race is a very tricky Handicap, with many of these having claims to a pretty weak race. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: A tricky race to way up with several of these in with chances, Gaelic Silver was in good form last winter on the AW but hasn’t been showing his best lately and Take Two is starting to show glimmers of his past form. However, a chance is taken that SPINNERS BALL is still improving, after a close 4th at Newcastle 13 days ago. With only 6 starts thus far, there is a good chance he still has more to give and may just be able to improve past these.
1 GAELIC SILVER – In brilliant form last winter on the AW and won over C&D in that campaign, but hasn’t been showing anything like that form since, with his only win coming in a poor Selling Stakes at Windsor in August (1m3f, Good to Firm). Hugely dangerous if recovering form on the AW and needs a huge amount of respect.
2 EXCELLENT PUCK – Was decent on the AW last campaign and very consistent, not being seen since a poor 8th of 11 at Chester in May (1m2f, Good). Last time he had a layoff like this he came back with a win and has definite E/W chances judged on his previous exploits.
3 ARTFUL ROUGE – Had been off 21 months before returning in July, and has shown glimmers of his old form, the best of which when a close 2nd at Kempton back in August (1m4f, Std to Slow). Not so good at Newbury when last seen (1m4f, Good to Soft) and will probably struggle against at least a few of these.
4 EL CAMPEON – Had a very successful 2015, but no where near as good this year on two starts in May and June, the latest defeat a very heavy one at Kempton (1m1f, Standard). Percentage call is too avoid today.
5 PRIORS BROOK – 5 start’s this season, starting off with a good 2nd at Windsor (1m3f, Good), and ending with a good 2nd at Windsor (1m2f, Good to Firm) back in October. Not so good in the 3 starts in between, but doesn’t seem to mind the All Weather, winning a Maiden back in 2014 (a very poor one albeit it). Has an E/W squeak.
6 NORTHERN MEETING – Has been there or thereabouts on his latest flat starts and was a winning hurdler at Worcester in July (2m, Good). Would probably prefer further nowadays and might not have the pace to win this.
7 TAKE TWO – Had been off 19 months before returning in October with one poor effort at Catterick (1m4f, Good to Soft), but ran much better when a close 2nd at this venue a few weeks later (1m2f, Standard). Has Callum Shepherd taking off 3lb’s, and with his current record of 10-20 in the past 2 weeks that is a huge boost. Has definite place chances.
8 PASTORAL MAGIC – Decent 4th latest when trying a longer trip at Nottingham (1m6f, Good) latest. Was a good winner at Kempton the time before (1m3f, Standard to Slow) and could still be improving after only 8 starts, so has live chances.
9 SPINNERS BALL – Only raced 6 times under rules and improved when a very close 4th at Newcastle 13 days ago (1m4f,Standard) and won over C&D 3 starts ago, nicely getting the job done. Still improving and if building upon that latest effort he should have a huge chance in a race that isn’t particularly strong.
10 JUSTE POUR NOUS – Completely fallen off the rails recently, with form figures reading 800007. Can’t be recommended.