Race Preview – A Tricky Low-Grade Mile Handicap with Tells Beneath the Surface

This looks a tightly-knit 0–65 handicap over the Lingfield mile, and despite a few familiar faces in the lineup, subtle tells in form patterns, pace dynamics, and trainer intent reveal plenty of angles to dig into.

The pace map suggests a fair even gallop, with a bias against low draws meaning those drawn wide and able to race prominently may be best placed—key at this track where momentum late often trumps positioning early unless a front-runner gets loose.

Let’s break this down by category.


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Strongest Contender: NEWFANGLED (J G Portman / Rob Hornby)

OR 64 | Timeform TFR 81 | Draw 6

3x AW winner (Wolves x2, Lingfield) in solid 2024 form.

Profile ticks every box: stays the trip, handles the track, and ran a blinder LTO at Kempton when just reeled in late.

Has won or placed 6 of last 8 on AW. Trainer a dab hand with this type – low-key yard but knows how to plot a winning route.

Timeform note: “Continues in top form… better placed than most at Kempton” – this implies he’s not ground-bound and still progressive.

Pace/positioning: Can race handily, draw ideal, no negatives.


Verdict: The one they all have to beat. Form, pace, and trainer vibes line up.


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Main Dangers

DAISY ROOTS (Jim Boyle / Pat Cosgrave)

OR 65 | Timeform TFR 77 | Draw 4

Returned from 159-day break with a bang, second in a strong small-field race.

That run was off 6/4 support, clear of the rest – definitely a ‘go day’ and stable switch (Adam West to Boyle) is notable.

Prominent racer, might get boxed in from draw 4 if pace is stronger than expected.


Go Day? Yes – 2nd up after a live gamble, jockey retained, stable trying.
Dangerous if replicating LTO.


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RAQRAAQ (P R Chamings / David Probert)

OR 60 | Timeform TFR 78 | Draw 7

2 from 2 over C&D, both wins with Probert aboard.

Off 91 days since latest win here – but that looked planned: gelding’s been kept fresh, and Chamings loves targeting Lingfield.

Trainer won this race in 2022 (Golden Dove) – notable.

Watch for late run: strong turn-of-foot, but pace must not collapse early.


Go Day? Yes – Probert booked again, perfect C&D record, held back for this? Value.


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Live Outsiders / Don’t Sleep On…

UNION ISLAND (Charlie Johnston / S D Bowen)

OR 61 | Timeform TFR 80 | Draw 10

3 wins last season, including when awarded a race here; genuine.

Biggest issue is the draw, but pace forecast helps him, and he’s been kept ticking over, lightly raced in 2025 so far.

Timeform pace hint: “should get a helping hand if pace isn’t overly strong”.


Go Day? Likely – lightly campaigned, and Bowen keeps the ride (interesting continuity for Johnston yard). Late play E/W material.


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Who’s Trying? Who’s Not?

TRYING:

Newfangled – bang in form, best figures in the field, no signs of restraint.

Raqraaq – trainer-jockey combo 2/2 here, held for this return.

Daisy Roots – live LTO, Boyle’s runners often spike 2nd-up.

Union Island – Johnston doesn’t waste runs; wide draw mitigated by pace setup.


HAND-BRAKE ZONE?

Tatmeen – 250/1 into 11/2 tells you a story, but look deeper: held up, no progress, looks like a test-run. Not today.

Master Dandy – headgear back on, form well off required standard, trainer not in form.

Thoughtful Gift – change of yard, huge layoff, very cold profile.

Eloso – 302-day absence and yard not known for lighting it up fresh.




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Trends & Stats Check

Trainer winner of this race previously: P R Chamings (Raqraaq) – always targets C&D with purpose.

Lingfield AW 1m winners in field: Newfangled, Raqraaq, Daisy Roots, Union Island – all proven over C&D.

Timeform Pace Hint: Union Island to be favoured if pace not too strong – tactically intriguing given he’s drawn wide.



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Conclusion

This has the makings of a Newfangled vs Raqraaq showdown, with Daisy Roots the one likely to loom up but maybe vulnerable in a battle. Union Island could be the value each-way alternative if they go too hard up front. The rest either look like fitness runs or tactical experiments.


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1st – Newfangled
2nd – Raqraaq
3rd – Union Island
Dark Horse – Daisy Roots
Avoid – Tatmeen (still learning the ropes, not today)