Though he needs to leave a disappointing handicap debut behind him, I’m keen on the chances of Hanoverian King at Lingfield Park today.
The son of Showcasing took a big step forwards on his third run in novice company, stepping up to 7f at Kempton Park in December. He finished fifth that evening, just over 3L off Abrag (won a maiden since and now rated 78) and 3.5L off Duty Of Care, who bolted up in a Newcastle maiden to an RPR of 87. The seventh home now has a mark of 64 and the eighth finished third on handicap debut off 68, all of which suggests Hanoverian King is potentially very well-treated off a mark of 55.
He was disappointing on handicap debut at Wolverhampton in December, but Simon Pearce revealed in an interview that a few of his were running below form at that stage, whereas they have been in better form since the turn of the year.
By the excellent Showcasing and a half-brother to a Group 3 winner, out of a German stakes winner, he has a pedigree to suggest he can rate higher in time and there are other positives to note; Pearce is 6-19 at this course to a level stakes profit of £77, while the booking of in-form Sean Levey catches the eye. Levey is 5-15 in the past fortnight and this is his first ride for the yard.
2.55pm Lingfield Park – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Hanoverian King @ 12-1 (various, take Best Odds Guaranteed)
