Racecards
15:40 Lingfield Park
Pontin's 'book Early' Handicap (Class 6)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- £5,000 added
- Form 500000
- Age 7
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 60
pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not reached leaders
- Form 9-70003
- Age 7
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer Mrs P Townsley
- Jockey N Chalmers
started very slowly, took keen hold in rear, denied clear run on inside from over 1f out, never troubled leaders afterwards
- Form 284711
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer J Gallagher
- Jockey Jim Crowley
took keen hold in touch, chased leaders 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, soon one pace
- Form 079714
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer J J Bridger
- Jockey M Henry
started very slowly, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
Ciccone
3- Form 659524
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J P Spencer
in touch, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong
- Form 648380
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer Ms J S Doyle
- Jockey L P Keniry
mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, effort entering final furlong, stayed on same pace
- Form 800058
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 54
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 000770
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 53
- Trainer N P Littmoden
- Jockey James Doyle
started very slowly, in rear, bumped over 2f out when still behind, good headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to lead towards finish
- Form 884003
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 56
- Trainer Ms J S Doyle
- Jockey B Doyle
raced wide in mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened from 2f out
- Form 400904
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer J Akehurst
- Jockey Dean McKeown
led, shaken up 2f out, still in command over 1f out, stayed on, not pace of winner and headed towards finish
- Form 7-80990
- Age 3
- Weight 8-5
- Official Rating 49
- Trainer Jamie Poulton
- Jockey J Quinn
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
In depth
Verdict
Ciccone gets the nod in the finale, while Shaheer, Play Up Pompey and Atticus Trophies are also expected to play strong hands. Atticus Trophies made a pleasing start for his new yard when finishing third at Wolverhampton nine days ago. The three-year-old may have needed the run on that occasion and is expected to be a lot sharper this afternoon. However, he does need to prove that was not just a one-off performance and more is required today. Play Up Pompey is back in handicap company after a series off fair efforts in Banded Stakes races of late. He can be slowly away from the stalls, but as 10 furlongs appears to be his optimum distance, Matthew Henry will have plenty of time to get him into a rhythm. Watch the betting carefully where he is concerned. Shaheer is also upped in grade after winning his last two starts - showing plenty of zest in the process. This is a stiffer test but he has solid place claims if he runs to his best. However, marginal preference is given to Ciccone, who is much better than her winless profile would suggest. Gary Moore's charge has not really had the rub of the green in better races than this but, given that this is effectively an ease in grade; this daughter of Singspiel will rarely be presented with a better chance of getting off the mark than in this sort of company.
Formwatch
Takes Tutu (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, pushed along on inside 2f out, never a factor, 11th of 14, 8l behind Generator (8-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Shaheer (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6f out, led 2f out, hard driven final furlong, held on near finish, won at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol beating Wood Fern (8-12) by a nk, 12 ran.
Play Up Pompey 5-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, behind, headway into mid-division 6f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Shaheer (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol.
Ciccone 9-1 (8-8) In touch, lost place approaching 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Siena Star (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Lady Pilot 11-1 (8-7) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 6f out, effort again 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 13l behind Burgundy (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Dinner Date 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge on inside over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 3l behind Wee Charlie Castle (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Atticus Trophies (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) With leader, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 2f out, edged right and headed 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Scutch Mill (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Blu Manruna 33-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, hung right final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Storm of Arabia (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.