2.15pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 04/01/2017

The third race on the all weather card at Lingfield today is a mile and a quarter contest where 8 go to post. See our betting tips and full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This race looks between Starlit Cantata and Dutch Uncle on paper. The former got caught right on the line at Chelmsford last time out so clearly merits a lot of respect but this is a tougher race. The vote goes to DUTCH UNCLE who went down by just over a length to Van Huysen over this course and distance last month. He was drawn out wide on that occasion and should be able to take full advantage today with a nice perch from Stall 3. He was held up in rear, had to sit and suffer and finished his race off really well on that occasion. He will be able to grab a nice handy position by the rail here and stay much closer to the pace.

1 DUTCH UNCLE – Had too much to do last time when racing over today’s C&D, so it has to be noted that the 3rd that he achieved has a better face value considering he was closing on the front pair all the way to the finish. Likes it around Lingfield, and this is where he gained his last win (off 2lb higher), run well last two starts and if things go his way he has a big chance of scoring.

2 ICEBUSTER – Has yet to score on the all weather in 21 attempts and on this occasion that doesn’t really look like changing. Won by 7 length on the turf back in June of last year and his mark suffered consequently. His last effort left a lot to be desired and is best watched after a break.

3 ELYSIAN PRINCE – Returns to the track after a break and has only beaten 2 rivals on his last 2 occasions. The positive in regards to his chances would come in the form of his course form. His figures at Lingfield read 1231, so on that basis it would be brave to rule him out. Looks a tad high in the weights but if firing today he has certain place claims.

4 STARLIT CANTATA – Secured a C&D double back in 2015, and with them 2 wins included, the mare has 4 Lingfield wins to her name. The most recent of them was also off today’s mark and that coupled with encouraging runs the last twice, and the fact she has a useful 3lb claimer on board, she is likely to go close today. Stayed on well last time out at Chelmsford but was headed late on and only beaten by a head.

5 THE GAY CAVALIER – Has a fair all weather record of 4 wins from 20 runs, but off a mark of 76 after a break, it looks a tricky task for him to win. Has won off a mark of 80 before but hasn’t produced that level of form since ended the flat season tamely. The 7lb claimer in Jonathan Fisher helps his cause along with winning course form (2 years ago), but usually needs a run to sharpen him up after a break.

6 GENUINE APPROVAL – Has found things tough since winning at Beverley by a neck in June last year. Has now dropped 3lb lower than the mark he won off that day, but the manner of her defeats since make it very hard to suggest a return to winning ways today.

7 EXCEEDING POWER – Has only raced over a mile or shorter so the step up an extra 2 furlongs today poses a question. On his pedigree and performances over a mile it doesn’t suggest it will bring out the extra that will be needed to take the win. Tame run at Chelmsford last time and looks too high in the wights to be a serious challenger.

8 BELIEVE IT – Steps up in class after winning at Kempton last time and has a 4lb rise to contend with. Nicola Currie takes the ride and again will take 7lb off, but for the first time the horse tackles a mile and a quarter. The manner of the win he achieved last time suggests that might suit so has to be considered as a danger.

myracing Betting Forecast: Dutch Uncle 5/2, Starlit Cantata 3/1, Believe It 9/2, The Gay Cavalier 8/1, Elysian Prince 10/1, Exceeding Power 12/1, Icebuster 12/1, Genuine Approval 20/1