The introduction of the All Weather Championships system has really injected spice and new life into winter flat racing . Trainers and owners that wouldn't have usually ran horses on the all weather have started to do so, not least the mighty Godolphin set-up. Although many argue that it's sort of unfair that they have spent loads of money on horses that are only capable of sweeping up races of this nature, it cannot be argued that they have introduced a greater class of horse onto the scene and, as a result, have made it more exciting.
Sheikh Mohamed's Godolphin brand, colloquialy known as "The Boys In Blue", really have dominated most of the races this winter; the question is, can that be carried forward to this?
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| Not quite Dubai but Team Godolphin will be hoping to scoop more riches at Lingfield |
1:40- Fillies' And Mares'
No Godolphin horses in the opener but a race where there would not appear to be a massive gulf in class amongst the first four of five in the betting. The top rated horse (four pound clearer on ratings than his nearest rival) is LAMAR. Deemed good enough to run in the Nell Gwyn and 1000 Guineas as a three year-old, she's become a real force on the all weather of late. A second at 20/1 in a Listed race was followed by two wins in small fields at Wolverhampton and Chelmsford. But perhaps her best recent performance was a narrow second behind Easter Classic hopeful Grendisar, beating the likes of Cloudscape and Grandeur in the process. She can prove that run was certainly no fluke in this and the booking of Ryan Moore has to be a positive.
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| Lamar |
Another horse with strong claims is Sir Mark Prescott's prolific mare DON'T BE. She racked up five handicap wins over seven furlongs during the winter, improving at a rate of knots. Far from disgraced in the Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton, where she was only beaten three length by Championship Mile favourite Sovereign Debt, she is a big player amongst her own sex again.
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| Don't Be (foreground) |
2:10- Sprint
All this revolves around Godolphin's Pretend in truth. He's looked a real force this season in the sprinting division and may well prove to be a real Group performer if transferring his ability to the turf. However, there's likely to be lots of hard luck stories in this and Charlie Appleby's speedster is not immune to this. Last year's winner ALBEN STAR had to fill the runners up spot behind Pretend last time out but he might have primed for this. Moore a good booking and an upset cannot be completely ruled out- he did win this at 25/1 last year.
If allowed to get an early lead, CHOOKIE ROYALE may be hard to peg back. Couldn't pull off the same tactics in this year's Lady Wulfruna Stakes as he did in the 2014 running of that race, being narrowly beaten by Sovereign Debt this year, but it was a good run nonetheless and a repeat performance will put him in the frame.
Another horse of interest is Glen Moss. Although he may not win today, I reckon he's got a big race in him this season.
2:40- 3 Year Old Mile
A three-strong Godolphin cohort in this, but none them are favourite. That space is filled by Lexington Times, who won under a canny Richard Hughes ride last time out. Donning the white cap for Godolphin is Four Seasons, who's winning run was thwarted that day and there should be no reason why he should reverse that form. Both Tempus Temporis and EMIRATES SKYCARGO have had similar preparations for this, easily beating far lesser opponents. Slight preference is for the latter, purely because of the prices. He hosed up at Chelmsford in a Class 4 handicap on his most recent run, winning by six lengths. Improvement is required but it may well come.
3:15- Mile
Probably the hardest race of the day to call. Both winners of Wolverhampton's two biggest races line up here- Lady Wulfruna winner Sovereign Debt and Lincoln Trial winner MINDYOUROWNBUSINESS. Roger Varian's raider is the first selection in this, a horse who has won his last two races. He always looked like the winner at Black Country venue last time out, travelling much like the winner for most of the way. A repeat performance makes him a horse to fear in this.
At a price, LUNAR DEITY looks well worth backing. At 16/1, he must be respected. Three runs over C&D- three wins. He'll have to run the race of his life but it cannot be ruled out.
Captain Joy is another horse worthy of a mention. Another who will have to run the race of his life here but that certainly cannot be ruled out. Stall one could be a worry for a horse who likes to be close to the leaders, a fairly good start is paramount.
3:45- Easter Classic
Back to Godolphin now with Tryster, a slightly enigmatic horse who has been a real force over the winter. Should win this but 4/6 is a little absurd in my opinion. The most viable alternative is probably GRENDISAR, who was beaten by Tryster last time out. There doesn't seem to be any reason why the form should be overturned but he seems the best of the rest. Will have to be delivered late on but is no slouch and should hopefully run another solid race.
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| Grendisar |
4:15- 3 Year Old Sprint
Portamento is a weak favourite in this for me, given his absence heading into this. Primrose Valley is a more viable alternative- he's four from four on the all weather this winter and appears to be improving all the time. However, her price is disappearing fast and stall ten is a slight worry over the minimum trip; there's definitely the risk of ending up in the proverbial car park. MERDON CASTLE filled the runner's up spot behind Primrose Valley last time out but has a more favourable draw this time around and could reverse the form, especially with Ryan Moore booked.
HARRY HURRICANE has also been beaten by Primrose Valley, twice in fact in recent months and although he would ideally want further, this may not become a five furlong race if the pace is strong. This could well be the case if Blue Aegean is allowed her own way, which could give Richard Hughes the chance to pounce late aboard George Baker's horse.
4:45- Marathon
The racing concludes with the Marathon race and Godolphin appear to be pulling the strings here with the two market leaders. Anglophile is a worthy favourite and probably the most likely winner but is too short for me. Hidden Gold chases the five timer but like Portamento in the race previous, has to defy a one-hundred day plus absence which won't be easy and although she won over two miles last time out, it was in a weak race in comparison and will have her stamina truly tested here. This could well go to a National Hunt trainer, courtesy of Nicky Henderson and HURRICANE HIGGINS. The bounce factor is a worry given his win just over a month ago came after an 853 day absence. He's a proven stayer though and for the last time in this, Ryan Moore is an eye-catching jockey booking.
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| Hurricane Higgins (blue and white striped cap, red body) |
And over at Musselburgh, Ladbroke winner BAYAN, who will be ridden by Paul Hanagan and FIRE FIGHTING are the selections for the 2:25. The former is a proven stayer and it's interesting that his shrewd trainer Gordon Elliot runs him in this. The latter went agonisingly close on Saturday, losing by a flared nostril at Kempton. His mark was unaltered for that and if he can get a lead like so many Johnston horses do, he may prove too game for the rest.
Back to Lingfield to conclude. Godolphin could well end up with three, maybe four winners and they probably should. However, it's not all about them and there are plenty of other connections who will be eyeing the big prizes.
Have a smashing Good Friday
Happy Punting!
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