13:30 Lingfield

Friday 7 April 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

BetUK All-Weather Vase Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 13:32 | Winning time: 2m 30.81s

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(7)

Buxted Too²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| CD

9/1

Enjoyed a highly-productive winter, gaining sixth success since October over C&D in March. Not in same form when fifth at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 3 weeks ago but bounce back certainly not ruled out.

Form: 111315

(5)

Pirate King³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: Harry Davies| T: C Fellowes| OR: 84| CD

18/1

4-time C&D winner. Fifteen runs since last win in 2021. Fourth of 6 in handicap (18/1) at Newcastle (12.4f) 36 days ago, not well served by a modestly-run affair. Stronger gallop will help returned to a venue he's often saved his best for.

Form: 024-644

(2)

Legendary Day^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Ryan Sexton| T: A Keatley| OR: 83| D

20/1

Made a fine start for this yard, tasting success over hurdles at Sedgefield (16.8f) in November and landed each of his last 2 starts on the Flat, latterly at Newcastle (12.5f) 24 days ago. Should remain competitive operating from 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 635-211

(3)

Dream Harder²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Ben Sanderson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83

14/1

Improved model for Ian Williams, adding to his tally at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in February. Probably best not judged too harshly on either of his starts since and worth noting he remains unexposed at this sort of trip.

Form: 334145

(4)

Satono Chevalier⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Jack Kearney⁽⁵⁾| T: R O'Brien| OR: 83| D

5/1

Irish raider who comes here on a roll, readily landing back-to-back Dundalk handicaps at around this trip in February. Mark has understandably risen considerably but feasible to think he's not yet reached his limit.

Form: 00-2211

(11)

Vega Sicilia^p1³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Connor Planas⁽⁵⁾| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 82| BF| D

3/1

Winner at Wolverhampton in December. Evens, good second of 6 in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f) 36 days ago, clear of rest. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Expected to be bang there.

Form: 241-222

(9)

Mr Inspiration^t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 81| D

10/1

Lightly-raced winner. Winner at Kempton in February. Very good fourth of 11 in handicap back at that venue (12f, 11/2) 28 days ago, outpaced home turn and keeping on. This sort of test may be on the sharp side on that evidence.

Form: 2-124

(13)

Idee Fixee^p1,t³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tommie Jakes⁽⁷⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 80| BF

6/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 4/5, creditable second of 7 in minor event at this course (10f, AW) 30 days ago, no match for winner. Present mark looks a workable one and he's totally unexposed at this sort of trip so possibilities with cheekpieces enlisted.

Form: 2222-2

(15)

Fairmac^b²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Oliver Stammers| T: C Johnston| OR: 78

20/1

Back on last winning mark, returned to form following 4 months off when 1¾ lengths fourth of 7 to Legendary Day in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f, 11/2) 24 days ago, rallying last ½f. However, suspicion is he will find a few too good here.

Form: 26723-4

(6)

Pistoletto⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Laura Pearson| T: J Ryan| OR: 78| CD

28/1

C&D winner. Sixteen runs since last win in 2022. Never figured in face of stiff task when 18½ lengths last of 8 to Lord North in Winter Derby at this course (10f, AW) 41 days ago. This more suitable bothers make greater appeal on balance.

Form: 063-788

(8)

Dinoo^p⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: R Varian| OR: 78

11/1

5/2, career best when winning 5-runner handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) 43 days ago, decisively on top at the line. Longer trip within range and rider's claim off sets subsequent rise in weights so he's worth a second look.

Form: 132-521

(12)

Muzaffar²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78| BF

9/1

Creditable 1¼ lengths third of 7 to Legendary Day in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f, 10/11) 24 days ago, having plenty go wrong in the race. Remains unexposed on back of just 6 career starts and strong chance he can rate higher still.

Form: 44/0-213

(10)

Thefastnthecurious^b⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 70| D

50/1

Winner at Southwell in January. 9/1, creditable third of 8 in handicap at Southwell (14.1f) 45 days ago, nearest finish. Clearly in good form but this rates tougher.

Form: 568-313

(1)

Sausalito^v⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 67| BF| CD

14/1

Comes here on a roll, landing quick-fire 5-timer in a C&D handicap last month. Not disgraced despite having winning run ended from career-high mark when third back here 7 days ago and this demands even more.

Form: 111113

Non-Runners

(14)

Red Flyer²⁸

Weight: 9-13| Age: 5

T: K Jewell J: Rhys Clutterbuck

(16)

Daheer¹¹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 6

T: D M Loughnane J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Vega Sicilia (3/1), Satono Chevalier (5/1), Idee Fixee (6/1), Buxted Too (9/1), Muzaffar (9/1), Mr Inspiration (10/1), Dinoo (11/1), Sausalito (14/1), Dream Harder (14/1), Red Flyer (16/1), Pirate King (18/1), Legendary Day (20/1), Fairmac (20/1), Daheer (20/1), Pistoletto (28/1), Thefastnthecurious (50/1)

Plenty hold claims in a competitive opener and it may pay to side with VEGA SICILIA. Runner-up on each of his last 3 starts in handicaps, he pulled a long way clear with a thriving sort on the latest occasion at Newcastle 5 weeks ago and the application of first-time cheekpieces may just put an extra edge on him here. Irish-raider Satono Chevalier, low-mileage 4-y-o Muzaffar and Idee Fixee head up the dangers, whilst Dream Harder isn't underestimated either.