Lingfield - Tue 19 May 2026
Bridge won over hurdles at Fontwell in March and is of interest back on the level, but Dylan Cunha has his string in good nick at the moment and the gut feeling is that HENGEST will take some stopping under a 5lb penalty. He won comfortably on his handicap bow at Windsor and could have any amount of improvement to come. Further Measure is next best.
It will be disappointing if VIDMIYR can't win a race like this. He shaped with promise in three starts in Ireland and although it wasn't a bad run at Doncaster on his handicap debut, it could be that dropping back to 7f in a maiden is just what the doctor ordered. Spirit Of Albion has to concede weight but does boast bits and pieces of form which give him a chance, while the market should tell us more about the newcomer Fiefdom.
MAN IS KING shoulders a 4lb penalty and top weight, but is in good enough form to give these rivals a beating in search of his three-timer. He has impressed at Bath the last twice and is versatile in regards to trip, with the drop back to 1m unlikely to inconvenience him. He gets a confident vote ahead of Mr Fustic and Mighty Ruler.
NO GAIN went down by a short head at Doncaster on Saturday and a repeat of that effort might suffice in what appears to be a more than winnable contest on paper. Raqraaq placed here on the all-weather at the end of March and is expected to be competitive once again, despite not having won on turf. Others for the shortlist include The Spotlight Kid and Joycean Way.
THANOS was knocking on the door with a brace of runner-up efforts in the autumn when beginning life in nurseries before returning to fill the same position at Doncaster. Cheekpieces go on for the first time and that might help to get Harry Charlton's gelding off the mark at the seventh time of asking. Superstorm improved from his first run of the year at Kempton when second at the same venue. He enters the reckoning along with Based, who made a promising start in handicap company at Wolverhampton.
Call Glory has been beaten less than a length on his most recent starts at Leicester and another bold bid is expected. However, the vote goes to FRANCISCO. The five-year-old won here on the all-weather last time and has an ideal opportunity to gain a first success on turf, especially as he went close over C&D last June. Play Me may appreciate a drop in trip after placing on the Polytrack here on his return.
TWITCH gets in under a light weight and makes plenty of appeal on the back of an improved second on the all-weather here. Beaten just a neck on that occasion, a press of the repeat button may well suffice. My Mate Kev has shown a bit more at Yarmouth and Windsor and it's a positive that Silvestre De Sousa keeps the ride, while Groundsman is another to note.
CAMELEY DAYS did it well when dropped to the minimum trip at Windsor and looks to have been found another very winnable opening. She's gone up 8lb but remains unexposed over 5f and has three victories from five starts when sporting cheekpieces only. Teardrops is a consistent performer who is expected to be thereabouts again, while Level Up may have to settle for another supporting role.
HENGEST made a winning handicap debut last week and should be able to defy a 5lb higher mark. He's completely unexposed over middle distances and remains well treated on his best novice form. The consistent Further Measure looks the biggest danger on form. He's a recent winner but he has shown all of his best form on the AW so is a risk on his turf return. Iwantmytimewithyou has been in good form this spring and may have won if ridden slightly more conservatively last time. He should also be on the premises.
VIDMIYR sets the standard on form and can make amends for an unlucky defeat last time where he met plenty of trouble in running. The drop in trip is no issue and he can defeat Malakai Kite who showed plenty of promise amongst greenness on his debut. He should appreciate the drop in trip judged on breeding and can fill the places with Spirit Of Albion who sets the standard on form but has a long absence to overcome.
MAN IS KING can complete the hat trick here. His latest victory is worth marking up as he kicked on early enough over a longer distance and he should be tough to catch back at 1m off just 5lb higher. Mr Fustic is yet to win on turf but he's been in excellent form on the AW and can provide the main challenge ahead of Mighty Ruler who has dropped back to his last winning mark. He would've been a bit closer last time but for blowing the start.
NO GAIN was a winner in Jersey last summer and has been running into form this spring. She was only narrowly denied off this mark at the weekend and arguably hit the front too soon that day so can make amends here. Charlatan has been in excellent form on the AW of late and has proven himself effective on fast ground in the past. He can fill the places with veteran The Spotlight Kid who has hinted at a revival on his last few starts off a much reduced mark. His last run is worth marking up as he went far too fast.
SUPERSTORM showed the benefit of first time cheekpieces when runner up to a progressive rival last time. The winner that day has franked the form so he is fancied to go a place better off just 1lb higher. Thanos has filled the runner up position on his last 3 outings and is entitled to come on for his latest run. He looks the chief threat ahead of Based who showed himself to be on a good mark when placed on his handicap debut.
FRANCISCO has proven consistent for some time and remains on a workable mark despite a 2lb rise. He has a good record at this venue and will be suited by the likely strong pace. Call Glory has been in good form on fast ground of late and appreciated the return to 7f last time. He looks the big danger ahead of the consistent Play Me who is a strong stayer at the trip.
It could be worth taking a chance with MY BOY HARRY here. He won 3 times on the AW over the winter and hinted at a revival last time flying home having missed the break over an inadequate 5f. He can build on that at a suitable trip and take advantage of a mark 2lb below his last winning one. Bottom weight Twitch also returned to form last time at this venue settling much better. Having dropped 11lb below his last winning mark he looks an obvious danger along with Jackson Street who was in good form here until his last run.
CAMELEY DAYS can continue her progression here. She's won 3 of her last 5 and had plenty in hand last time so an 8lb rise looks reasonable. She remains completely unexposed over the minimum trip and is chosen to defeat course specialist Harry Brown who returned to form with a last time out win. He remains very well treated on his best efforts so is feared along with the consistent Teardrops who should get the strong pace he desires.
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