16:40 Lingfield

Friday 14 April 2017

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

Betway Easter Classic All-Weather Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 2m 2.16s

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(6)

Allez Henri^p1⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Aurelien Lemaitre| T: D&P Prod'homme

25/1

Interesting French challenger who is likely to have been bred with this surface in mind. Has won three races on the AW in France but the level of his form looks a little below what will be required to get involved.

Form: 3169-72

(1)

Battalion⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: J A Osborne| OR: 108

5/1

Four-time C&D winner who made an impressive start for this yard at the end of last year. However, he's developed bad stall habits recently and he gave himself no chance of winning over C&D last time. Chance if back to his very best but wouldn't appear to be one to put a lot of faith in currently.

Form: 560521

(4)

Convey⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 111

11/10

As impressive as ever when getting the better of Pinzolo (runs in the 2.10) last time over C&D. That made him two from two on the AW and there could be more to come on this surface, so very much respected when bearing in mind he could come on a little for that effort and has one of the world's best in the saddle.

Form: 16235-1

(5)

Grendisar^p⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: M Botti| OR: 107

5/1

Six-time C&D winner who won this last year. Things not panned out for him this year, looking a little unlucky on occasions and may not have gone through with his effort on his last couple of runs. He wouldn't want to give Convey too much rope on the front end but every chance if they go a quick enough gallop he can regain his title. De Sousa rides for the first-time and cheekpieces back on in exchange for the blinkers tried last time.

Form: 22-1114

(8)

Metropol¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: M Guyon| T: Mme P Brandt| OR: 105

16/1

Excellent third behind Grendisar in this contest last year but not quite as good back at this track last time. Fit from a recent spin on the AW in France. More needed this time around though and unlikely to get an easy lead.

Form: 5-53785

(2)

Third Time Lucky^h1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 101

14/1

Won the 2015 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket but gone backwards since. Finished a respectable third when last seen on the AW behind My Target and won a weak affair at Wolverhampton the time before but has a fair bit to find with several of these. Can take a bit of a hold and connections have reached for a first-time hood.

Form: 5-41305

(3)

Van Huysen⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: J F Egan| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 85

66/1

Two-time C&D winner but struggling off a mark in the mid 80's in handicaps since and doesn't look like he has what it takes to compete at this level.

Form: 243370

(9)

Absolute Blast¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 105

7/1

Beat a very smart field at Kempton in a Listed race last time and form numbers read 211231 since joining this yard. Her third was the Group 3 contest won by Convey and while she has a little to do to turn the form around with that rival, there could still be more to come.

Form: 112312

(7)

Elbereth²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 100

12/1

Still likely to be improving and she won over at Dundalk last time, but will need to take another step forward to land a blow here. Far from impossible, particularly with a mare at this time of year and trainer and jockey have a 19.51% strike rate when teaming up around here, so plenty to like.

Form: 1233-14

Forecasts

Convey (11/10), Grendisar (5/1), Battalion (5/1), Absolute Blast (7/1), Elbereth (12/1), Third Time Lucky (14/1), Metropol (16/1), Allez Henri (25/1), Van Huysen (66/1)

It's entirely possible that Ryan Moore can dictate the pace on Convey from start to finish here and he may just get an easy time on the front end. That could be to the detriment of last year's winner Grendisar, who gets the services of Silvestre De Sousa for the first time. He will need a strong pace to aim but he can pick up the pieces if Moore gets the fractions wrong. Absolute Blast may still have a little improvement in her and wouldn't have to find a great deal to turn around the form with the selection from their Lingfield run.