Rapscallion to reign supreme at Lingfield

The in-form Stuart Williams introduced his former Irish recruit in esteemed company when running at Kempton in November, and LORD RAPSCALLION may be well-handicapped to strike in the feature of the day - the Bombardier British-Hopped Amber Beer Handicap (1:25).

When making the journey from Johnny Murtagh’s yard in Kildare, Williams wasn’t afraid of throwing this five-year-old in at the deep end, upping him to Listed company where he finished a respectable fourth. On that occasion, he travelled strongly and looked to have mounted a serious challenge two furlongs out, but ultimately faded in the last furlong.

He had success in Ireland when tried on the all weather surface, winning twice at Dundalk, and put in some good efforts in valuable handicaps at the back end of last year. This sharper trip should suit and the drop in grade could allow him to challenge in a wide open affair.

Selection: Lord Rapscallion 13/2 EW

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With the three at the top of the market being so closely matched, it’s impossible to ignore Mark Johnston’s presence in the Betway Handicap (3:10). HURAIZ was impressive at the age of two, including in group company, but regressed last year when being upped to seven furlongs. He’s very lightly raced for his age and has slipped down the handicap to an eyecatching mark of 96.

He now returns to his optimum trip, and could be slightly overpriced for the red-hot Middleham based trainer, who’s boasting an impressive 31% strike rate in the last fortnight.

Selection: Huraiz 9/1 EW

The curtain comes down on Lingfield’s eight race card with the Betway Handicap over six furlongs, where it could pay dividends to side with Roger Teal’s SWISS PRIDE.

Having put in two lacklustre performances at Wolverhampton, the five-year-old produced an eye-catching display from a wide draw to finish a strong-staying third last time out. On that occasion, he was forced to settle four wide and had to cover a lot more ground than his rivals round the home bend.

Today he comes out of stall one at a track which he enjoys, having form figures of 1231633. The gelding remains off a mark of 68 and has George Rooke in the saddle - who has a 50% record on board.

Selection: Swiss Pride 9/4

Away from the all weather surface, there are two which could be worth siding with at Warwick, including one in the opener. It would be a big surprise if PASLEY doesn’t have enough to mount a serious challenge in the Pertemps Network Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (12:40), coming to this contest with solid claims.

Jonjo O’Neill’s recruit has some very good form in Ireland and looks an irresistible price with conditions to suit. The five-year-old hasn’t shown much on his three stable starts but has tumbled down to a mark of 107 and, considering his form on soft-heavy ground reads 421223, looks poised to strike here.

His last performance hinted that a revival could be on the cards, jumping very fluently and travelling strongly up until three out, when weakening into eighth. Jonjo O’Neill Jr gets in the saddle and, with some bookmakers paying four places each way, looks a large price at 7/1.

Selection: Pasley 7/1 EW

The Grade 2 Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (2:25) looks an absolute cracker with twelve going to post. LORD OF KERAK has been improving bundles with every run and seems overpriced considering he finished three lengths behind Adrimel when still learning his trade on his penultimate run. Olly Murphy’s stable wasn’t having the greatest time of it then, and it seems the Warren Chase based trainer is starting to hit top gear for this affair.

Last time out, the six-year-old made a telling impression on his third appearance when beating Oneupmanship by nine lengths - who since finished second to the intriguing Sizeable Sam. The in-form Aidan Coleman takes the ride and he should be able to run better than his price suggests.

Selection: Lord Of Kerak 10/1 EW