Lingfield Preview: Double chance for Dascombe

Lingfield stage a competitive eight-race card today and trainer Tom Dascombe looks to have leading claims of landing a double with Barracuda Boy and Marmalad.

Barracuda Boy runs in the feature 6f handicap (2.00) and looks capable of defying top weight after bouncing back to form to land a competitive 15-runner contest at Haydock last time out.

The four-year-old travelled strongly at the head of affairs and only had to be driven out to beat My Name is Rio by 3/4 of a length off a mark of 89.

Although now 6lb higher in the weights, Barracuda Boy was value for more than the winning margin and remains fairly treated on the pick of his form.

The son of Bahamian Bounty ran well last year to be twice placed in class 2 company off a mark of 92, and is just 2lb higher than when scoring on the polytrack surface at Wolverhampton in this grade back in April.

Indeed, Barracuda Boy’s record in class 3 company reads 121 and with George Baker in the saddle and a great draw in stall 1 from which to attack everything points to a huge run.

Marmalad runs in the mile nursery which opens proceedings (12.00) and has been found a great opportunity to open his account.

The two-year-old has only had four starts and shaped really well on debut at Haydock when fourth of nine to Winslow in a race which has thrown-up subsequent winners.

They include the now 108-rated runner-up Baitha Alga who went on to land the Listed Woodcote Stakes at Epsom and the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

That is very strong form in the contest of this weak looking class 5 contest, and Marmalad comes into it on the back of a really solid second to Romance Story at Wolverhampton on handicap debut.

The son of Duke Of Marmalade showed plenty of pace to lead for much of the 7f journey and kept on well to be beaten 1 3/4 of a length after being unable to match the pace of the winner.

The step up to mile should suit judged on that run, and Marmalad looks weighted to take all the beating off a 1lb higher mark of just 71.

Selections:
12.00: Marmalad (NB)
12.30: Bonfire Heart
1.00: Lunasea
1.30: Malaysian Boleh
2.00: Barracuda Boy (NAP)
2.30: Scariff Hornet
3.00: Skidby Mill
3.30: Engai