11:30 Lingfield

Wednesday 20 December 2023

All11:3012:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Hands And Heels Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 11:30 | Winning time: 3m 25.28s

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(4)

Western Stars³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Joe Leavy| T: J R Boyle| OR: 75

9/4

Latest win at Windsor in October. 22/1, shaped better than the result when eighth of 14 in handicap at Kempton (2mf) 30 days ago, having hopeless task from position. That was a Class 3 and he's a big player now taking a drop in class.

Form: 311658

(3)

Alpine Stroll⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Molly Presland| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 72| D

50/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2022. Last of 9 in handicap at York (2m, soft, 12/1) 67 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Ed De Giles.

Form: 248639

(1)

Dark Mystery^h,t¹⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Matteo Pinna⁽⁷⁾| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 68

9/1

17/2, fourth of 7 in handicap on turf here (11.5f) in June. Significantly up in trip and also tackling polytrack for the first time on return from break.

Form: 154-054

(6)

Anisoptera¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Mr Oliver Timms⁽⁵⁾| T: B R Johnson| OR: 67| CD

20/1

C&D winner. Latest win at Kempton in April. 5/2, fifth of 7 in C&D handicap when last seen in June. Much depends on whether she's ready to roll.

Form: 621825

(2)

Smith^v¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Molly Gunn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 66| CD

16/1

Six-time C&D winner. Should strip fitter for his recent first outing in 6 months and he's now 1 lb below the mark he defied here in February.

Form: 315068

(7)

Artisan Dancer¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Archie Young| T: C Johnston| OR: 71| BF| CD

9/5

Third leg of a quick hat-trick at the end of the summer came over C&D. Good runner-up efforts on last 3 outings (C&D latest). Should go well again.

Form: 163222

(5)

Tamaris^t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Joe Bradnam⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 57

3/1

Won twice over fences around 2½m w this autumn and made a solid return to the Flat when third of 11 over 1½m here a week ago, best work finish. Return to 2m should suit.

Form: 5065/73

Forecasts

Artisan Dancer (9/5), Western Stars (9/4), Tamaris (3/1), Dark Mystery (9/1), Smith (16/1), Anisoptera (20/1), Alpine Stroll (50/1)

WESTERN STARS has been better than his results suggest since his Windsor win in October and might be able to get his head back in front now dropping back into a Class 5. The thriving Artisan Dancer rates an obvious threat, while Tamaris should benefit from the return to 2m. C&D specialist Smith is also starting to look well treated again so this is quite competitive despite the smallish field.