There’s a substantial gamble underway at Lingfield on Tuesday, as one runner is now as short as 13-2, having been 25-1 on Monday evening. One bookmaker is holding firm at 9-1 but they are definitely on their own. The horse in question is a handicap debutante and it’ll certainly be interesting to see how it plays out. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Shazam makes her handicap debut in the first race on the card. The three-year-old filly has had just three starts so far and she’s yet to set the world alight. Kevin Philippart De Foy has a knack for getting his horses to show significant improvement on handicap debut, which certainly bodes well here.
She made her debut over an extended mile at Nottingham on debut for Ralph Beckett and she was comfortably beaten back in sixth. There was no significant improvement to speak of on the all-weather here at Lingfield on her second start back in November and she subsequently switched to the Philippart De Foy yard. Making her debut for this new yard at Southwell last month, she was an absolute no-show at a big price. Perhaps the fact that the money is coming for her here is a more positive sign.
Her impressive pedigree suggests the step up to 1m2f will suit, as both her dam and sire won at Group 1 level over this trip. Despite her disappointing seasonal and stable debut, she’s entitled to improve for the run and the switch to handicaps can facilitate significant improvement. Philippart De Foy is a shrewd operator and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her run a big race.
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