AW Polytrack: left-handed; sharp 1m2f inside turf course; chute gives 1m4f start; gradual bend into the back straight.
Background Info:
The existing Polytrack surface at Lingfield was laid down in November 2001, much to the disdain of punters who had enjoyed a significant edge on the old Equitrack surface. The immediate result was a series of slowly run tactical races and lots of trouble in-running, and things haven't improved much since, meaning Lingfield is the toughest all-weather track for all types of backers. Still, the new surface has been a bit hit with trainers and jockeys alike, and the overall quality of the racing is arguably better than either at Southwell or Wolverhampton.
The two-day Winter Derby meeting held at the track in late March is the highlight of the all-weather season, culminating in the Winter Derby, a 10-furlong event for three-year-olds and upwards. A valuable trial for that race is run in February.
Track Bias:
The bias here has been the subject of much debate. Last winter, there was talk of a 'bad-rail', and the majority of races are now won by those who steer a course into the centre in the home straight. While a so-called expert has concluded that the rail isn't any slower than any other part of the track, this trend is likely to continue.
There's also been much discussion about how difficult it is to make all here. While that may be true, especially over distances in excess over 1m, the top riders can often nick a race from the front as they are superior judges of pace. Overall, speed is of the essence here, while the ability to travel well and come with a finishing kick off the home turn is of paramount importance.
Draw Bias:
Over 6f and 7f, low to middle is generally best, with stalls nine and above over 6f and 11 and up over 7f faring the worst this year. Similarly, the widest stalls have been disadvantaged over 1m2f. Over 5f, though, any advantage is very slight, meaning high numbers can offer a bit of value.
Key Players:
Gary Moore and Richard Hannon train the most winners here, each with a respectable strike rate of 14%. Of the two, Moore's runners have been profitable to follow blindly since 2004, but backing all of Hannon's runners would have resulted in a big level-stakes loss as the majority of his winners are short prices. One less obvious trainer to note is Simon Callaghan who has sent out seven winners from only a handful of runners, many of which have been well-backed. George Baker rides this track better than any other jockey and his strike rate for George Moore is a particularly impressive 25%.
Inside Info:
Check out Simon Callaghan's website for his latest stats and entries: http://www.simoncallaghan.co.uk/
Make It Pay:
The track lends itself to close, exciting racing, and with the lead changing hands several times inside the last furlong, in-running punters should be wary of backing a short one. Instead, look to back those who are held up late as they more often than not gain the upper hand.
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