Higher mark no problem for Cawthorne

TUESDAY LINGFIELD

OWEN LITTLE (11.40) was 200-1 when chasing home Sundayinmay on his handicap debut at Kempton in September but he proved that was no fluke with an even better effort last time out.

The late removal of his blindfold caused a slow start but he picked his way through the pack and caught subsequent winner Smith in the dying strides. It would be no surprise to see a similar outcome to this 1m7f169yds handicap.

ROVANIEMI (1.45) can

CAWTHORNE LAD (12.25) ended his hurdles career with a couple of lacklustre efforts in the early part of 2021 but he looked a different horse when reappearing over fences at Stratford recently. Stepping up in trip, he still had work to do with three to jump but picked up well in the closing stages and was more than seven lengths clear of the field by the line. His jumping had room for improvement that day and Jonjo O’Neill’s charge can defy a 9lb higher mark with a more fluent round.

ALPHA CARINAE (12.55) is an interesting contender in the mares’ handicap chase. She could never get competitive when making her chase debut at Kempton recently but that was over an insufficient 2m4f110yds and her first run since a summer breathing operation so is easily forgiven. She was beaten less than seven lengths when tackling this sort of trip in a Listed race at Doncaster in March and a return to that sort of form would give her every chance today.

LYDFORD (3.00) was a dual winning Flat horse and looked sure to find races in this sphere when runner-up at Leicester two weeks ago, only losing out by a head to the talented Zabeel Champion. He can go one better in this company. end a lengthy losing streak in the 6f handicap.

He lost his final 14 races for David Simcock but the son of Oasis Dream has slipped to a handy mark and suggested his turn was coming when third on his debut for Ed Walker at Kempton last month, where he was only beaten a length despite suffering trouble-in-running.

DAANY (3.15) has been inconsistent since joining Adam West but he was beaten less than two lengths at Wolverhampton ten days ago and won’t be far away if matching that form in the finale.

TUESDAY NEWCASTLE MILLIONAIRE WALTZ

(4.45) has blossomed recently and should be able to secure another success in the 7f handicap.

He took a while to settle into his new home at the Ben Haslam yard but he was well backed when scoring over this course and distance in October and quickly added two more Newcastle victories.

He barely came out of second gear when completing the hat-trick and a 6lb higher mark is unlikely to stop him.