18:50 Lingfield

Monday 8 June 2020

All16:1516:4517:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Read Andrew Balding On Betway Insider Handicap

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 2m 47.07s

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(7)

Percy Alexander^p¹⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: C J Mann| OR: 60

33/1

Had a couple of runs over hurdles last winter, both to little effect, and it's a long time since he was seen on the Flat. Best form at shorter anyway, and must be a doubt over him staying this far.

Form: 956612-

(9)

Nafaayes¹³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jean-Rene Auvray| OR: 60| C

5/1

Just two wins in 28 starts, but one of them did at least come here, so has that going for him; might find this a little on the short side (both wins at 2m) but Hollie Doyle has gone close on him here before, and he could go well.

Form: 4703-47

(1)

Herm⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P D Evans| OR: 60

4/1

Was running with great consistency over the winter/spring before the enforced break came in, and was only beaten a length over C&D in February despite not getting the best of runs; looks sure to be thereabouts if fit.

Form: 110-232

(11)

Front Five¹³³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: George Wood| T: M R Bosley| OR: 60

100/1

Last seen out in 2016, so coming back off a mammoth absence here; only a couple of placed efforts to show for his 11 starts so far, and despite the handicapper giving him a chance, others readily preferred.

Form: 336P55/

(10)

Valkenburg^p²⁷⁹

13/2

First start for new yard, better known for their National Hunt exploits but so good at turning these sorts around; had a wind operation since last being seen, probably wants this trip as a minimum but could easily improve today.

Form: 486652-

(3)

Mobham¹¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Charles Bishop| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 60

10/1

Couple of placed efforts over slightly shorter here over last winter would give him a chance off this mark, but bottom line with him is that he's an 18-race maiden that's hard to win with. Place chances again though.

Form: 422-475

(12)

Dovils Date^t⁹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 60| C

14/1

Useful hurdler at his best, and found his form in that sphere last summer, but efforts this spring when last seen far from convincing, and not best drawn today either.

Form: 111/780

(2)

Hidden Depths^b,t¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Hector Crouch| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 59| BF

11/1

Not beaten that far off a 5lb higher mark over 12f last October at Kempton, and his second in a Wolverhampton claimer (2m) when last seen was a solid effort; chances if fit on return.

Form: 030482-

(5)

Elhafei¹⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Theodore Ladd⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 59

16/1

No win in 19 starts, and taking a big step up in trip here after trying 7f and a mile at Southwell on last two starts; all looks a bit too much to take on trust.

Form: 8-84244

(4)

Celtic Classic^b²⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: P & O Cole| OR: 58| BF

10/3

Knows how to win when the opportunity arises, and scored twice last year once the blinkers went on; still looks on a fair enough mark, conditions fine and yard had a winner earlier in the week; one with a solid chance.

Form: 143214-

(6)

Star Of Athena^t¹⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: A Stronge| OR: 58WS

12/1

Just one win in 14 starts, but on the plus side, she won very easily that day and was coming back off a break, so she can do it when she fancies it; now back on that winning mark, has had a wind operation, and is of more interest than a few today.

Form: 554-657

(8)

Heron⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: William Carson| T: B R Johnson| OR: 58

20/1

Two wins in the spring of last year, but found life a lot harder after that and was well beaten on most occasions; likes these conditions though, and might hit the frame if fit after the enforced break.

Form: 086-630

Forecasts

Celtic Classic (10/3), Herm (4/1), Nafaayes (5/1), Valkenburg (13/2), Mobham (10/1), Hidden Depths (11/1), Star Of Athena (12/1), Dovils Date (14/1), Elhafei (16/1), Heron (20/1), Percy Alexander (33/1), Front Five (100/1)

This won't take a lot of winning. CELTIC CLASSIC has more going for him than most, with this trip fine and he still looks on a workable mark despite his wins last year. Expect him to be prominent throughout. Herm has course form and Oisin Murphy on board, and if the breaks come late, has every chance of hitting the frame at worst. Star Of Athena would have a very good chance if repeating her first time up win of last year, and it may be that fresh is the time to catch her. Keep an eye on the market for any support for Valkenburg too.