Racecards
15:50 Lingfield Park
Banqueting At Lingfield Park Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft (Heavy in places, Chase: Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added

- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer A E Jessop
- Jockey J M Maguire
mid-division, behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up

Bremen
21- Form 2223
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2 out, soon one pace

- Form 5
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey E Dehdashti
led, clear by 3rd, headed approaching 2 out and weakened

Huck Finn (NZ)
211- Form 7
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J L Spearing
- Jockey A Thornton
keen, tracked leaders, weakened 4 out

Luxurix (FR)
16- Form 73
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey D Elsworth
prominent, ridden to lead 2 out and jumped right, ran on

- Form 7
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey P J Brennan
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, soon weakened

Prince Broc (FR)
363- Form P-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up and keen, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, soon weakened, no chance when pulled up

Rawdon (IRE)
40- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer M L W Bell
- Jockey T Scudamore
towards rear, steady headway 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out

Taxman (IRE)
405- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer A G Newcombe
- Jockey T J Malone
mistake 1st, soon tailed off

- Form 82-6450
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out


Pochard
16- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J M P Eustace
- Jockey M Bradburne
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out

Apocal (IRE)
16- Form 55442
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey S Thomas
in touch, chased leaders after 3 out, soon one pace

- Form 3234
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
mid-division, steady headway after 4th, ridden approaching 3 out to chase leaders, weakened soon after
In depth
Verdict
Bring It On Home and Bremen have both shown a reasonable level of form in defeat whilst Prince Broc is undoubtedly better than he showed on his sole start last season. Apocal is respected given the strength of the Nicholls yard but preference is for Luxurix. Paul Webber's gelding stepped up on the form of his debut to finish a close up third to the potentially smart Group Captain at Newbury and, although that form has yet to be put to the test, a repeat performance could suffice. The market should guide to the chances of Prince Broc from the in-form King yard whilst Apocal can be expected to improve for last month's British debut. Bring It On Home and Bremen are beginning to look exposed but the latter, a heavy ground winner on the level, could improve for encountering give underfoot for the first time over obstacles but Luxurix is proven under the conditions and looks to be the safest option.
Formwatch
Belvillez Villez gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Bowl of Cherries 8-1 (9-1) Behind, ridden 2f out, some headway over 1f out, not reach leaders, 7th of 13, 4l behind Mr Napoleon (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec (Flat).
Bremen 8-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 2 out, soon ridden, not pace of leading pair before last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Jack The Giant (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Celtic Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 31l behind Deep Purple (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Dec.
Huck Finn (NZ) Foxbay gelding out of Reckless Spirit.
Luxurix (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd and 5th, ridden to press leader 2 out, every chance last, no extra, 3rd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Majaales (USA) 22-1 (11-0) Mainly towards rear, 7th of 18, 26l behind Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Makai 50-1 (8-2) Took keen hold, led, headed 6f out, stayed in touch, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Burgundy (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f app hcp (5) gs in Jul (Flat).
Prince Broc (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Pauillac (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy, 11 ran.
Rawdon (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 18, well behind Sir Monty (11-5) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Taxman (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders until weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Nando's Dream (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov '06 (Flat).
Truckers Delight (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, mistake 5th, soon struggling, 10th of 17, 28l behind Snap Tie (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Golden Sprite 50-1 (10-7) Chased winner, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 22l behind Popcorn Rosie (10-4) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Pochard 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 13th of 18, 46l behind Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Apocal (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Chance du Roy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Bring It On Home 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 13l behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.