18:55 Lingfield

Tuesday 11 August 2020

All15:5016:2016:5017:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:55

Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:56 | Winning time: 1m 24.21s

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(8)

Markazi^v²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 86| D

11/1

Showed a good return to form on two of last three starts at Ayr (1m) and Epsom (7f) but raced too freely at Beverley (7f) last time. Down to mark only 2lb higher than when he last won.

Form: 16-0459

(1)

Tintoretto¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: T Ward| OR: 85| D

9/2

Dual handicap winner on the AW at Kempton during the spring and holding mark well in two starts since. Latest 2L fourth at York (7f) is solid form and was subsequently eased for that.

Form: 0-51164

(11)

Fighting Temeraire²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: George Downing| T: D K Ivory| OR: 84| CD

14/1

C&D winner two starts ago before respectable sixth in 7f York handicap last month. Still 5lb higher than last winning mark but is back down in class. Should go close.

Form: 441616

(2)

Alnaseem³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: J Ferguson| OR: 84

4/1

Game winner of 0-80 handicap at Yarmouth two starts ago and fared well for a long way when 3L fourth in tough fillies' handicap at Ascot (1m) last time. Step back in class and is much respected.

Form: 609-214

(12)

Edraak²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 84

15/2

Seems to do better on the synthetic surfaces with a win and placed effort at Newcastle this season (both 6f). Not as good at York (6f) last time and might be booked for minor honours.

Form: 2-1030

(10)

Mr Scaramanga³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: S Dow| OR: 83| C

40/1

Normally fares best here, Epsom and Brighton but not in the same form this term, including 5L eighth in tough Epsom handicap (1m2f) in early July. Down in class but not ran over this trip for some time.

Form: 35-4348

(5)

Klute²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83| D

28/1

Became inconsistent when trained in Ireland last year and ran okay enough on stable debut before poor 11th at York (7f) last time out. Mark continues to slight but needs to be in better form.

Form: 7008-50

(6)

Blame Culture¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 81| D

9/1

All-weather mark is considerably higher than turf mark but best efforts have come on this surface, including two second-place finished over C&D and at Chelmsford (7f) this term. Not as good at Sandown latest but claims now switched back to the AW.

Form: 758-226

(9)

Eljaddaaf²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Joey Haynes| T: D K Ivory| OR: 80| CD

22/1

Mark has tumbled considerably over the past couple of seasons and was good third over C&D two starts ago. Slow start cost him all chance at Kempton (7f) latest but some claims on previous form.

Form: 244938

(3)

Buckingham³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 79| D

9/1

Has now slipped 2lb below his last winning mark and showed signs of coming back to his best when keeping-on fifth (beaten 2L) at Bath (1m) on latest start. Not entirely without hope.

Form: 728-545

(4)

Sir Titan³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: B Doyle| T: A W Carroll| OR: 79| D

28/1

Remains 1lb higher for last handicap win at Newmarket last season and showed signs of coming back to himself when 4L fifth at Newbury (6f) last time. Needs slightly more but place considerations.

Form: 4314-45

(13)

Merchant Of Venice⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: George Wood| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 78

12/1

Has ran well off higher marks previously and returned back to good level of form when 4L second at Kempton (1m) at the start of July. Off the same mark for this. Shortlisted.

Form: 435452

(7)

Royal Dynasty¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Levey| T: M Moubarak| OR: 77| C| D

13/2

Returned in fine form this season with two placed efforts sandwiching a victory at Chelmsford (7f). Should be capable off this mark and bold show is likely.

Form: 121313

Forecasts

Alnaseem (4/1), Tintoretto (9/2), Royal Dynasty (13/2), Edraak (15/2), Blame Culture (9/1), Buckingham (9/1), Markazi (11/1), Merchant Of Venice (12/1), Fighting Temeraire (14/1), Eljaddaaf (22/1), Sir Titan (28/1), Klute (28/1), Mr Scaramanga (40/1)

A closely-contested handicap, preference is for one near the top of the weights in TINTORETTO to get back on the scoreboard. He has proven form on AW surfaces and he gets respite in the handicap despite holding his form up incredibly well in a strong York handicap for this level last time. Both Alnaseem and Royal Dynasty have done nothing wrong this season and are expected to run up to their marks once more while Blame Culture should appreciate the switch back to a synthetic surface. Merchant Of Venice can also not be discounted, however the wide draw is of some concern.