16:05 Lingfield

Thursday 20 February 2025

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:3517:05

Sri Lanka Awaits You Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 26.7s

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Selected odds by:

San Pedro^p¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 99| CD

5/1

Bounced back to form earlier this month (headgear refitted), making all to land the third Plumpton success of his career (winning race he'd won in 2024). Very much had the run of the race on that occasion but remains of interest racing off the same mark, having taken this in 2023.

Form: 7-68551

Has Troke³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 98| D

16/1

Has gone off the boil of late, failing to be revitalised by the fitting of more severe headgear (left off today) when pulled up over fences last month. Returns to hurdles in search of a confidence boost and best to look elsewhere.

Form: 313-5PP

Weaver's Answer^p⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 95

4/1

Has showed improved form for the addition of cheekpieces, running as well as ever when second of 10 at Hereford (25.5f) in December. Returns from a short break and it's interesting that both his previous wins have come when fresh. Leading claims.

Form: 8314-62

Westtara²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs D Grissell| OR: 95

22/1

Left previous efforts behind when third in maiden at Plumpton in April 2024. Finished last season with a creditable third of 7 in a handicap hurdle at this course (25.8f, good), despite being keen. Needed the run on reappearance last month and should strip fitter for that outing.

Form: 3R37-36

Tropical Speed²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 94

15/2

Creditable third of 14 in handicap hurdle at Wexford (24f, good to soft, 9/2) on final start for Eoin Doyle last summer. Modest effort on debut for this yard but he's in excellent hands and it would be no surprise to see this lightly-raced type show improvement sooner rather than later.

Form: 0-04436

Grand Sabre³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 82

33/1

Only minor promise in a couple of bumpers and has offered little in qualifying runs over hurdles. Needs to improve considerably for step up in trip/switch to handicap company.

Form: 0/67-0P

Three Zambezi's⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 82

5/4

Placed in Irish points but struggled under Rules. Not suited by emphasis on speed when ninth of 13 in a handicap at Southwell (15.8f) in November before falling on latest outing in December. Needs to improve significantly for today's stiffer test but runners from this yard worth a market check.

Form: 2-0989F

Falstaff³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 77

17/2

Well held in a bumper and qualifying runs before disappointing on handicap debut finishing eighth of 16 at Warwick (19f, good to soft) 31 days ago. Faces a longer trip on this occasion but difficult to make a strong case for.

Form: 0-7708

Engaging Sam^p⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: P Butler| OR: 72

25/1

Showed he can be competitive from a basement mark when third over C&D in February and probably needed his comeback run (following 10 months off) in November. Races from 1 lb out of the handicap but holds place claims in a moderate race for the grade.

Form: P/8863-5

Non-Runners

Scorsese⁹⁷

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: N P Mulholland J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

Three Zambezi's (5/4), Weaver's Answer (4/1), San Pedro (5/1), Tropical Speed (15/2), Falstaff (17/2), Scorsese (12/1), Has Troke (16/1), Westtara (22/1), Engaging Sam (25/1), Grand Sabre (33/1)

Twice a winner over hurdles following a break, WEAVER'S ANSWER has been freshened up for this following a creditable second at Hereford in December and can land the spoils. San Pedro took this in 2023 and is interesting racing off the same mark as when making all at Plumpton 10 days ago, although he's unlikely to have it all his own way with fellow front-runner Westtara for company on this occasion. Engaging Sam has placed over C&D previously and may be able to finish in the money once again.