Date: Thursday 29th Jan 2026
Race: 3:20 Lingfield (Class 5 Handicap, 1m2f)
We often look for complications in racing where there aren’t any. Today’s 3:20 at Lingfield is a puzzle that solves itself if you ignore the noise and look at the cold, hard mechanics of the race: Pace, Weight, and Form.
Here is the no-nonsense verdict.
The Nap: #8 Tommy’s Promise (9/4)
This isn’t the time to be clever and oppose the favourite. Tommy’s Promise is bidding for a five-timer, and every metric suggests he will get it.
The Form Boost: The horse he beat last time out (by a neck) has since come out and won twice. That solidifies his recent form as ‘Grade A’ for this level.
The Weights: The handicapper raised him 4lb, but trainer John Ryan has booked apprentice Donagh Murphy, who claims 7lb. Mathematically, the horse is running off a lower mark today than when he won 12 days ago.
The Pace Bias: The pace forecast is “Very Weak”. In a slow-run race at Lingfield, you want to be on the speed. Tommy’s Promise rides prominently; his main market rival, King’s Hand, sits deep. When the sprint finishes, Tommy will already be gone.
Verdict: He is the class act, the form pick, and has the tactical advantage.
The Value Angle: #4 Didaar (10/1)
If you want an Each Way alternative away from the obvious, Didaar is the “wise guy” play.
Forget his maiden status. Focus on the trainer, Denis Quinn. His stats at Lingfield are frankly ridiculous: a 29% strike rate and a £44.00 level stakes profit. He targets this track specifically.
Didaar was running on strongly over a mile at Kempton last time—a trip far too sharp for him. Today he steps up to 1m2f, which is exactly what he needs. At 10/1, he is massively overpriced given the trainer’s record here.
The Trap: #2 Meet Me In Meraki
Don’t be seduced by the booking of Rossa Ryan. While the jockey is elite, the horse is 0 wins from 9 starts at Lingfield. He was beaten nearly 10 lengths by the favourite recently. The market support (shortening to 7/1) is based on the jockey, not the animal.