Second Thought the one to beat but should backers think again?

4.10 Lingfield

Sunbets All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes | Class 2 | 1m | 4yo + | ITV4/ATR

Second Thought could well go off the shortest-priced favourite of the day and it's not hard to see why, but is he the standout his odds suggest?

His turf record was not bad – after all he was second to Harry Angel in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last spring – but we are judging him here on his all-weather form, and that's faultless.

The tally is six wins from six starts, including the 6f 32Red 3 Year Old All-Weather Championships Conditions Stakes on last year's Good Friday card, plus two fast-track qualifiers this winter.

William Haggas and James Doyle combined to great effect in the Betway Lincoln last Saturday, and while Second Thought's bare form might not set him as far clear of the pack as the betting suggests, he is plainly the one to beat.

Haggas, speaking from Dubai, said: "Second Thought hasn't been beaten yet on the all-weather but it's a tough race. The main ones are drawn low and he's got a nice draw in stall one.

"We've got plans for him on turf later on but this was always his winter target and so we'll get this one out of the way first."

Arcanada may be value option

The markets make Second Thought a hot favourite, but Arcanada is only 2lb behind him judged on official marks, and he is 2lb ahead on Racing Post Ratings. This has been his target all winter and Tom Dascombe is very sweet on his chance.

He said: "Like Kachy in the sprint, Arcanada has won all his starts on the all-weather this winter, and Lingfield suits him. He's just the most lovely horse to have around. He's so honest and genuine and he has improved every year.

"He's got a good draw and a great jockey who will keep it simple. His form suggests he probably only needs to run as well as he has before to win."

Will handicap form translate to conditions company?

An unbeaten run in four Lingfield handicaps has seen Goring's official mark shoot up from 83 to 101, which gives him a big chance of a place at least, but handicap form doesn't always translate.

Eve Johnson Houghton thinks it will, and she's hopeful there's more to come still.

She said: "Goring's been a revelation since we switched him to the all-weather, and I'm not sure we've got to the bottom of him. Now he's older he's getting the trip better and he's able to travel. The visor helps him concentrate.

"Second Thought is going to be hard to beat but Goring's in great form and we're going there to win."

What others say

Tracey Collins, trainer of Captain Joy
He's in good form and won the race two years ago, having run third in it in 2015. We're happy with him.

Archie Watson, trainer of Chevallier
He's wrong at the weights with the top two in particular, but he's a track specialist who loves it round Lingfield. If he jumps and travels away he'll have every chance of picking up a piece of the prize-money.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Gabrial
He only ran last week but he came back bouncing. I didn't have it in my head to run him here but there's not a lot for him and he can have a break after. If he runs like he did in the Lincoln then I'm sure he'll run very well.

Thierry Lemer, trainer of King Malpic
It will be tough because of the bad draw. He wasn't in such good form towards the end of last year but he won well on his comeback, showing great courage and running a good time over the last 200 metres. He might not win but I expect him to run well, while the jockey [Olivier Peslier] knows the racecourse and the horse well.

Simon Dow, trainer of Mr Scaramanga
In the Lincoln trial at Wolverhampton he could have been called the winner turning into the straight but it looked as though he just got outstayed. He's got a bit to find, but horses often struggle to replicate their Lingfield form on the Tapeta and there is brilliant prize-money on offer. If he could bring some of it home we’d be delighted.

Phil McEntee, trainer of Spare Parts
He's running here because he didn't get in the apprentice handicap and we wanted the opportunity to see him here on the big day. He's got no realistic chance of winning but I guarantee he won't be last.

Enjoy the daily Racing Post newspaper in full with our digital newspaper. Available to download on any device from 9pm every evening, giving you tomorrow’s paper the night before - exclusive to Members' Club Ultimate. Join here