3.20pm Lingfield Tips & Betting Preview 29/03/2017

This is a competitive maiden over 7 furlongs, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Plenty with chances here and HAJJAM gets the vote. William Knight has sent out a winner in the last fortnight and his runner should have plenty of progression in him having been gelded over the winter and a hood is applied for the first time here. Wonder Of Dubai is certainly worthy of a market check now switching stables whilst Spiritofedinburgh is another of interest if market support arrives.

1 GOLDEN GUEST – He cost 28,000GNS as a yearling and struggled last season having only placed once in 6 starts. His best piece of form came over today’s trip at Kempton back in August and he’s by Bated Breath so there should certainly be some potential in him. Connections have had him gelded over the winter which may just straighten him out and it’ll be interesting to see how he fares on debut. Best watched off a 205-day break today.

2 HAJJAM – 25,000GNS yearling by Paco Boy who ran twice last season over 7 furlongs. He ran respectably on both of those starts but wasn’t beaten far on either start and he showed clear progression from his first to second run which is a definite positive. This will be slightly easier than his two runs to date and he’s another that has been gelded over the winter. He wears a hood for the first time today and there should be a lot more to come. Respected.

3 LORD E – Finished fifth of six at Lingfield over a mile last time out and was comfortably beaten having been sent off at 50/1. He was ridden from out the back that day and it’s difficult to imagine a huge improvement on that form although he should improve for that initial experience. Gary Moore has been in good recent form (2 winners in the last fortnight) but his runner here may be better off in handicaps down the line. Best watched today.

4 MAHNA MAHNA – £22,000 yearling and he’s related to a couple of winners at this lower level. He was well-beaten in what could prove to be a good maiden at Wolverhampton but he could never land a blow and his 50/1 starting price reflected that performance. He’s by Kodiac so this sort of trip shouldn’t be a problem and his trainer has 1 win from 1 runner at Wolverhampton although his yard has been relatively quiet of late. One for handicaps later in the season.

5 SPIRITOFEDINBURGH – 30,000GNS yearling and is related to Brendan Powell’s stable-star Dark Emerald. He struggled a little last season and couldn’t get his head in front in weaker races than this but he did post some better efforts at 7 furlongs including at Kempton so he’s entitled to improve again here off a seasonal break having been gelded as well. Trainer is profitable here (£22 to level stakes) and Fran Berry is an eye-catching booking. Respected.

6 WONDER OF DUBAI – Purchased for 20,000 Euros as a 2yo and was very well-beaten on debut at Chelmsford in a weaker maiden than this. He has since moved yards to Michael Bell and he’s of interest here given connections haven’t gelded him and he could be a bit of fun for the stable this year. Adam Kirby is a positive booking and Michael Bell has been in good form of late (2 winners from his last 6 runners). One to watch in the betting.

7 HAPPY ESCAPE – £600 purchase as a yearling and by Delegator whose progeny have generally wanted further than this. The stable has a 10% strike rate here but they’re not renowned for first time out winners and she’s best watched in a tongue tie first time out.

8 LA ISLA BONITA – 21,000GNS purchase and she was very well beaten on debut finishing eighth of nine, beaten 17 1/2 lengths. Her trainer is operating at a 13% strike rate here (1 win from 13 runners) and it would be something of a small surprise to see her win here although she does receive a 5lb fillies’ allowance and she is by Foxwedge. Worth a second look in the betting but she’s probably one for handicaps later in the year.