Lingfield preview: Tilstarr handicapped to sparkle

Tilstarr can take advantage of a drop in the weights to score an overdue success in the 1m 3f handicap on today’s seven race card at Lingfield (15.00).

The mare is on a losing run of 16, having not scored since landing a 1m 2f contest at the track on the all-weather surface last April when beating Havelovewilltravel by a neck off a mark of 70.

However, the Roger Teale-trained five-year-old has run a number of solid races to make the frame – including on the turf at Newmarket and Sandown off a rating of 74.

Tilstarr is now able to race in this off just 64, 6lb lower than when last victorious, and that gives her a massive chance from a handicapping perspective.

The daughter of Shamardal also handles cut in the ground, and connections could not have found a weaker race for Tilstarr to get her head back in front.

Trainer Giles Bravery has his team in good nick, and his Darrell Rivers can go well at a big price in the 6f handicap (16.30).

The filly has only had four starts, and shaped well on the second of those at Chelmsford when fourth of 11 to Wanting.

Darrell Rivers lost stacks of ground when slowly away, but showed plenty of pace to recover and take up the running until being headed two from home.

The daughter of Hellvelyn then rallied inside the final furlong to be beaten 5 1/2 lengths, and the winner has gone on to score since and is now rated 90.

Darrell Rivers also finished close up behind two horses rated 74 and 72 going into the contest, and that suggest her current mark of 61 is exploitable.

From a good draw in stall 14 from where to bag the favoured stand side rail, Darrell Rivers could take some pegging back if getting loose upfront judged on that effort.