Can Lingfield-loving James Evans steal the headlines on Masqool?

Wednesday: 2.55 Lingfield
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The big freeze hasn't been great news for some of the big name trainers, but it has given some of the lower-profile yards a chance to have their day in the limelight and James Evans will be hoping Masqool can propel him into the headlines.

Evans has saddled 14 runners on Lingfield's all-weather in the last five seasons and four won, two finished second, one was third and one fourth. A £1 bet on all of those representatives yielded a profit of £18, so that all points to Masqool making a bold bid here.

The four-year-old recorded one of those four wins at the track for the yard when scoring over 7f here in April. He is now 16lb higher, but returns to the track with the Evans stable in top form following a 12-1 winner at Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Masqool is going up a furlong-and-a-half in trip and he isn't the only horse being tried over further.

Snapcracklepop stormed home for second, five places ahead of Masqool, at Wolverhampton last month and promises to be suited by a stiffer test.

Similar comments apply to Aristobulus, who was strong at the finish over 7f at Chelmsford last time. This is an extra three-furlongs, though, so it's quite a drastic step up.

However, Capital Theory looks the one to beat following his impressive victory in maiden company at Chelmsford a couple of weeks ago.

He was 2-7 that day and entitled to win as he did, but his previous handicap third at Southwell is solid form in the context of this race and Charlie and Mark Johnston's runner is unexposed in comparison to most of these rivals.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Oliver Cole, joint-trainer of Splendent
He’s come on for his run at Wolverhampton the other day and has been in good form at home since. I expect him to run very well.

Robert Havlin, rider of Jean Danjou
He’s wearing cheekpieces for the first time which should help him concentrate and he’s dropping back in trip which should also be a plus.

James Evans, trainer of Masqool
We’re going back up in trip with him and he has been placed at this distance before. He’s up in grade these days and the Johnston horse looks the one to beat but hopefully he can be competitive as he usually is.

William Muir, joint-trainer of Snapcracklepop
He was a bit unlucky last time when second at Wolverhampton when we would have preferred to have made the running but he missed the break a little. He ended up a long way back but flew up the straight and I think he has a great chance of going one better.

Mike Murphy, joint-trainer of Aristobulus
We’re experimenting going up in trip but we feel it’s worth doing. He’s finished off his races well recently and is thriving at home so there’s plenty to like.
Reporting by David Milnes

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