HEADWAY LOOKS ON TIGHT TRACK
1.45 Lingfield – HUMBERT (nap) has been in outstanding form after a 15-month break and a gelding operation, winning three from three on the all-weather at Kempton (twice) and Wolverhampton. Got up close home to beat Poetic Force last time out and this steadily-progressive four-year-old can defy another rise in the weights. Sea Fox was beaten a nose and a short head in a Class Two here last Saturday and was previously a winner at Kempton. Should confirm that form with top weight Chevallier who was further back in sixth that day. Towerlands Park, who is closely matched with Chevallier on recent running, should go well.
2.20 Lingfield – IBALLISTICVIN hasn’t run for 130 days but the booking of Ryan Moore by his father Gary suggests he will be ready to do himself justice. Won at this level at Kempton last time out, finding plenty when shaken up in the straight to beat Abel Tasman. Yensir has been switched from Grant Tuer to the in-form stable of Olly Murphy and has Luke Morris (four from six for the trainer) in the plate. Should give a good account, but has yet to win in 16 attempts. For the danger I suggest another long-standing maiden Widnes, who went close here two runs ago and has Andrea Atzeni in the plate.
2.50 Lingfield – ENCORE D’OR (treble) only just failed to catch the useful Gracious John in a Listed race over course and distance last week. Ryan Moore was in the saddle that day and is again doing the steering for trainer Robert Cowell, who is in excellent form with two wins from his last four ®Ê runners in the last fortnight.
Boom The Groom (4th), Royal Birth (5th) and Brother Tiger (8th) were all behind Encore D’Or in that Listed event and look held. Atletico, arguably unlucky not to win the last twice, gets the services of Andrea Atzeni, who takes over from Jack Mitchell. *%)' Lingfield – HEADWAY (nb) was denied by only a head behind Rajasinghe in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last season. Won only a Chester maiden in his two-year-old campaign, but signed off with a decent fourth in the Gimcrack at York and it looks like seven furlongs will suit for his first run as a three-year-old. His trainer William Haggas has won this twice in the last four years. Bengali Boys won the Super Sprint at Newbury, but that was over five furlongs on heavy ground and it remains to be seen how he will handle this surface. Albashir hasn’t won since a debut success, but has done well on the all-weather recently with two seconds at Kempton. However, for the danger I am taking a chance with Lake
Volta, who ran quite well when fourth behind the highly-rated Corinthia Knight after a long absence at Newcastle last month. Was weak in the market that day and can do better.