It’s a little after the event I know but I thought I would put down a few notes from yesterday afternoon’s meeting at Lingfield. In truth, it was a disappointing card for a midwinter Saturday and showed how the continuous diet of AW racing just isn’t sustainable when spread across four venues.
There was a modest crowd and the weather wasn’t terribly good with frequent bursts of rain and mainly leaden skies.
The opener was a Class 6 Claimer over a mile and a quarter. The market suggested this was a two-horse race but with LAURIE GROVE once again running too freely in front, CLEAR SAILING had little trouble landing the odds. He led down the hill and was clear in the straight having been close to the pace throughout. CUPID’S GLORY was slowly away and sat last early but ran on strongly in the straight to finish a good second.
After an extended period of modest form, this was a clear sign of a return for the second and he’s worth following in similar events. CLEAR SAILING has farmed these claimers and these kinds of races suit him. He seems to just get ten furlongs and probably not be able to mix it with handicappers at his current mark. KINDLELIGHT BLUE was third, albeit six lengths off the second but a fair effort after a long break.
Race two was a 3-y-o maiden over six furlongs. The market told the story in no uncertain terms with UNDERSTORY walking from 4/9 to 11/10 while MAJOR MAXIMUS traded at 9/4 before coming in to 5/4 in places. UNDERSTORY broke slowly, ran green and was never going while MAJOR MAXIMUS broke fast and made every yard without being challenged. SWEET AVON was well beaten by the winner and may do better in low-grade handicaps while UNDERSTORY will doubtless come on for the run but will be seen to much better effect over a mile.
Race three was a Class 5 handicap over a mile and a quarter. This was a much more interesting heat from a punting perspective and produced a finish to warm the handicapper’s heart. Jamie Spencer rode a strong finish to force JEER up on the line, having looked in trouble a furlong and a half out. CHARLIE SMIRKE was getting 12 lbs from the winner and only just failed having come with a strong run. BOSAMCLIFF got outpaced early and was still well off the pace turning for home but she made rapid progress to finish a close third just in front of ATACAMA SUNRISE. ALFIE TUPPER didn’t get the best of runs on the home turn and couldn’t get into the fray while the well-supported SOCIETY VENUE (12s to 8s) ran poorly.
JEER has form at further but he’s not the first northern-trained handicapper to do well here and he’s been a grand servant to connections. CHARLIE SMIRKE continues to race consistently and will find a small handicap before long while BOSAMCLIFF found everything happening too quickly here as Southwell performers often do. A little further would be a big help on this effort. Of the others, RAPID CITY ran far too free while BAVARICA disappointed.
Race four was a handicap for 3-y-o over a mile. Only five runners but they looked closely-matched on paper and four of them had every chance in the final furlong with the early pace setter TRANSFIXED beaten off. LISAHANE BOG took over but was immediately pressed and seemed to be struggling with EPIC challenging on the inside. However, PRINCE OF SORRENTO looked to be going best but it all went disastrously wrong for JP Guillambert in a couple of strides. First, the horse didn’t quicken instantly and second his ground was taken by EXCEEDTHEWILDMAN who was well produced by Kieren Fox and who swept through to win and hold the late challenge of LISAHANE BLOG. By the time PRINCE OF SORRENTO recovered his momentum the race was over.
EXCEEDTHEWILDMAN stepped up a notch to win this but did it nicely and took full advantage of his rider’s 7lb allowance in a tightly matched field. LISAHANE BOG just failed to notch a fifth consecutive win but lost nothing in defeat and unless the handicapper is too severe, he could win again. There will be other days for PRINCE OF SORRENTO who has plenty of ability.
Race five was a Class 3 race over seven furlongs. This wasn’t much of a race with ATLANTIC STORY well ahead on the numbers and backed as though victory was certain and so it proved. Backers never had a moment’s concern as Jamie Spencer moved up once EISTEDDFOD and CARCINETTO had ended their duel for the lead and cruised past the latter. AEROPLANE looked to be going well and quickened without ever threatening the winner and in the end Jamie had a fair bit more in hand then the length winning margin suggests. CARCINETTO ran ok in third to suggest he is returning to a bit of form.
Race six was the afternoon’s feature, a Class 2 handicap over a mile and a quarter. This looked a serious race despite the modest prize money. Top weight BRIDGE OF GLORY was the least exposed runner but prevailed in a desperate finish. Rather like JEER earlier, he had raced prominently but then appeared to be struggling briefly before rallying. This was a murderous gallop and the final time of 2 minutes 2.72 seconds sounded incredibly quick and close to a track record.
On this evidence, BRIDGE OF GLORY could be a Winter Derby horse if he continues to improve. BAYLINI was getting 10 lbs from the winner and ran on strongly close home only just failing. She is a fair yardstick as is the third MAFEKING who once again earned connections place money. FULL TOSS ran a close fourth and showed this to be his optimum trip.
The final event was a maiden of 3-y-o over a mile. The market thought this might be a repeat of the previous maiden with a Mark Johnston runner coming unstuck and GREYFRIARSCHORISTA was eased out to 4/6 from earlier 4/9 while the Simcock newcomer INTO WAIN was backed from 7/2 to 2s. This time, however, the market got it wrong and GREYFRIARSCHORISTA made all and bolted up.
INTO WAIN got the better of a pack finish for second and will come on for the run. The winner is now eligible for handicaps and it will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
There was a modest crowd and the weather wasn’t terribly good with frequent bursts of rain and mainly leaden skies.
The opener was a Class 6 Claimer over a mile and a quarter. The market suggested this was a two-horse race but with LAURIE GROVE once again running too freely in front, CLEAR SAILING had little trouble landing the odds. He led down the hill and was clear in the straight having been close to the pace throughout. CUPID’S GLORY was slowly away and sat last early but ran on strongly in the straight to finish a good second.
After an extended period of modest form, this was a clear sign of a return for the second and he’s worth following in similar events. CLEAR SAILING has farmed these claimers and these kinds of races suit him. He seems to just get ten furlongs and probably not be able to mix it with handicappers at his current mark. KINDLELIGHT BLUE was third, albeit six lengths off the second but a fair effort after a long break.
Race two was a 3-y-o maiden over six furlongs. The market told the story in no uncertain terms with UNDERSTORY walking from 4/9 to 11/10 while MAJOR MAXIMUS traded at 9/4 before coming in to 5/4 in places. UNDERSTORY broke slowly, ran green and was never going while MAJOR MAXIMUS broke fast and made every yard without being challenged. SWEET AVON was well beaten by the winner and may do better in low-grade handicaps while UNDERSTORY will doubtless come on for the run but will be seen to much better effect over a mile.
Race three was a Class 5 handicap over a mile and a quarter. This was a much more interesting heat from a punting perspective and produced a finish to warm the handicapper’s heart. Jamie Spencer rode a strong finish to force JEER up on the line, having looked in trouble a furlong and a half out. CHARLIE SMIRKE was getting 12 lbs from the winner and only just failed having come with a strong run. BOSAMCLIFF got outpaced early and was still well off the pace turning for home but she made rapid progress to finish a close third just in front of ATACAMA SUNRISE. ALFIE TUPPER didn’t get the best of runs on the home turn and couldn’t get into the fray while the well-supported SOCIETY VENUE (12s to 8s) ran poorly.
JEER has form at further but he’s not the first northern-trained handicapper to do well here and he’s been a grand servant to connections. CHARLIE SMIRKE continues to race consistently and will find a small handicap before long while BOSAMCLIFF found everything happening too quickly here as Southwell performers often do. A little further would be a big help on this effort. Of the others, RAPID CITY ran far too free while BAVARICA disappointed.
Race four was a handicap for 3-y-o over a mile. Only five runners but they looked closely-matched on paper and four of them had every chance in the final furlong with the early pace setter TRANSFIXED beaten off. LISAHANE BOG took over but was immediately pressed and seemed to be struggling with EPIC challenging on the inside. However, PRINCE OF SORRENTO looked to be going best but it all went disastrously wrong for JP Guillambert in a couple of strides. First, the horse didn’t quicken instantly and second his ground was taken by EXCEEDTHEWILDMAN who was well produced by Kieren Fox and who swept through to win and hold the late challenge of LISAHANE BLOG. By the time PRINCE OF SORRENTO recovered his momentum the race was over.
EXCEEDTHEWILDMAN stepped up a notch to win this but did it nicely and took full advantage of his rider’s 7lb allowance in a tightly matched field. LISAHANE BOG just failed to notch a fifth consecutive win but lost nothing in defeat and unless the handicapper is too severe, he could win again. There will be other days for PRINCE OF SORRENTO who has plenty of ability.
Race five was a Class 3 race over seven furlongs. This wasn’t much of a race with ATLANTIC STORY well ahead on the numbers and backed as though victory was certain and so it proved. Backers never had a moment’s concern as Jamie Spencer moved up once EISTEDDFOD and CARCINETTO had ended their duel for the lead and cruised past the latter. AEROPLANE looked to be going well and quickened without ever threatening the winner and in the end Jamie had a fair bit more in hand then the length winning margin suggests. CARCINETTO ran ok in third to suggest he is returning to a bit of form.
Race six was the afternoon’s feature, a Class 2 handicap over a mile and a quarter. This looked a serious race despite the modest prize money. Top weight BRIDGE OF GLORY was the least exposed runner but prevailed in a desperate finish. Rather like JEER earlier, he had raced prominently but then appeared to be struggling briefly before rallying. This was a murderous gallop and the final time of 2 minutes 2.72 seconds sounded incredibly quick and close to a track record.
On this evidence, BRIDGE OF GLORY could be a Winter Derby horse if he continues to improve. BAYLINI was getting 10 lbs from the winner and ran on strongly close home only just failing. She is a fair yardstick as is the third MAFEKING who once again earned connections place money. FULL TOSS ran a close fourth and showed this to be his optimum trip.
The final event was a maiden of 3-y-o over a mile. The market thought this might be a repeat of the previous maiden with a Mark Johnston runner coming unstuck and GREYFRIARSCHORISTA was eased out to 4/6 from earlier 4/9 while the Simcock newcomer INTO WAIN was backed from 7/2 to 2s. This time, however, the market got it wrong and GREYFRIARSCHORISTA made all and bolted up.
INTO WAIN got the better of a pack finish for second and will come on for the run. The winner is now eligible for handicaps and it will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
