Stick with Cohesion at Lingfield
COHESION can build on a promising British debut by winning the Betway Conditions Stakes at Lingfield.
Formerly trained in France, Cohesion joined David Bridgwater’s team after changing hands for 85,000 guineas at Tattersalls last October.
That may have seemed a hefty price tag for a horse that had won two moderate events and twice been beaten in Group Three company, but the son of Champs Elysees hails from a fine Juddmonte family that includes the likes of Phoenix Tower and Day Flight.
Gelded following his sale, Cohesion reappeared in a competitive enough handicap at Lingfield last month, where he ran much better than his finishing place of fourth would initially suggest.
Beaten just under two lengths by Pinzolo, with the reopposing Rock Steady in second, Cohesion was slow to break and after being ridden conservatively, he never looked like catching the winner.
However, he stayed on well for fourth and looked very much like a horse worth following next time out.
He races off level weights with Rock Steady this time, so should at least be capable of turning that form around, but the conditions of the race certainly make him an appealing option as he gets weight from the rest of his rivals.
Jack Flash should make the most of a return to Lingfield in the 32Red.com Handicap.
The Dark Angel gelding began life in Ireland with Ger Lyons but after failing to strike in four outings, he was offloaded for 16,000 guineas last October and has already repaid a slice of that fee.
He made all at this track to claim a moderate six-furlong event at the beginning of January, but then narrowly failed to follow up at Newcastle, being beaten three-quarters of a length after again trying to make all.
Jack Flash just could not hold on in the final furlong, so Les Eyre’s decision to switch back to six furlongs makes sense.
Midtech Star can make it a quick Chelmsford double in the totequadpot Four Places In Four Races Handicap.
Ian Williams’ runner struck gold over a mile and six furlongs at the Essex venue earlier in the month and despite a 3lb hike, he is taken to follow up.
The five-year-old responded well for pressure and while he is as yet unproven over two miles, Midtech Star can rise to the challenge whilst in such good heart.