Scuzeme to soar at Lingfield
SCUZEME should certainly have enough ability to claim top honours in the 32Red Handicap at Lingfield.
The three-year-old showed very little indeed in two starts last year, finishing last at Musselburgh and at York.
David Barron drew stumps for the year at the point and Scuzeme was not sighted again until pitching up at Newcastle in January, when he ran out a very cosy winner of a moderate maiden heat.
Gelded in the interim, the switch to the all-weather seemed to suit this son of Kheleyf and he only had to be pushed on in the last 50 yards to take a convincing three-length verdict.
He cruised by his rivals that day and while it was only an average event, the fact the runner-up has since won perhaps gives the form a little more depth.
The handicapper has hardly been kind with a starting mark of 80, but Scuzeme is just the type to make sharp progress now he has found the winning groove.
Solajan found only one too good on his racecourse bow and can go one place better in the 32Red-sponsored maiden.
Ed Dunlop’s runner raced prominently that day and after going toe to toe with the winner, Dark Titan, he eventually had to give best by a head at the line.
He looks sure to win a race like this before too long.
Our Channel did the donkey work for his stablemate in Listed company last time, but the 32Red Handicap at Kempton should see him get back on track.
The six-year-old was beaten over 16 lengths in the Winter Derby Trial after setting the early gallop, but given the winner Decorated Knight has since gone on to Group One glory in Dubai, that was a very strong heat indeed.
Our Channel had previously proved a bit disappointing in conditions company so this move to handicap level could prove a good move from Jamie Osborne.
Hold Sway is an eyecatching newcomer in the mile maiden for Charlie Appleby.
A Dubawi half-brother to Group One winner Charming Thought, Hold Sway holds an entry in the Investec Derby at this stage and should be making his presence felt here.
50-1 Prominent on outside, led over 7f out, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 17l behind Decorated Knight at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb. 7th of 10, 9l behind Zarak at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) fm in Feb. 14-1 Held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 18l behind Pactolus at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Nov. 9-1 Slowly into stride, soon tracking leading trio, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 6, 6l behind My Target at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol in Feb. 20-1 Held up in last pair, no real headway final furlong, 8th of 13, 8l behind Urban Castle at Lingfield 1m 5f flls lst stks (1) pol in Oct ‘15.
3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Dyliev at Salon-De-Provence(FR) 1m 1f 3yo stk sft in Sep. COMMISSAR (26) Miss M Rowland 8 9-7 (CD) ...... Rob Hornby RAIL DANCER (21) R Rowe 5 9-6 (C) ..................... A Beschizza CRANWELL (160) G Baker 5 9-5 ............................ D Sweeney ALI BIN NAYEF (11) M Wigham 5 9-4 (D) .............. S De Sousa POWERED (14) P Evans 4 9-2 ...................................... A Kirby DALAVAND (6) Mrs L Mongan 4 9-2 ...................... P Cosgrave HONG KONG JOE (510) Mrs L Richards 7 9-1 ........... S Drowne TED’S BROTHER (16) Laura Morgan 9 9-0 ............... S W Kelly REBEL WOODS (169) G Deacon 4 8-12 ....... Josephine Gordon AWESOME ROCK (13) R Ingram 8 8-12 (CD) ...... Oisin Murphy BARNACLE (14)EmmaOwen88-12 ..................... SDonohoe MOVIE MAGIC M Hoad 6 8-12 ....................... Aaron Jones (3) ZETEAH (21) A Carroll 7 8-12 ................................. G Downing BRIAC (27) Mark Pattinson 6 8-12 .......................... D Muscutt BETTING: 9-2 Cranwell, 5 Rail Dancer, 6 Powered, 7 Ali Bin Nayef, 8 Ted’s Brother, 10 Briac, Commissar, 12 Dalavand, 14 Others. SMILEY BAGEL (18) Ed Walker 4 9-7 (C, D) ........... R Kingscote GRACEFUL LADY (27) R Eddery 4 9-5 ........................ L Morris TARAKKOM (14) P Hiatt 5 9-5 (C) .............................. L Keniry SIR JACK (34) A Carroll 4 9-3 ................................. G Downing COLD FUSION (6) D Flood 4 9-2 ...................... Rossa Ryan (7) SANTADELACRUZE (18) M Hoad 8 9-2 ................ A Beschizza REZWAAN (21) M McGrath 10 9-0 (C7) ..................... S W Kelly STREET ART (21)MikeMurphy58-13(CD) ............. RWinston FRANKIE (28)JFox68-12 ........................................ KO’Neill AKINSPIRIT (16) Mrs N Evans 13 8-12 (D3) .......... T Marquand ATHENIAN GARDEN (21) P Butler 10 8-12 (D)... Danny Brock CASTANEA (13) R Harris 5 8-12 ......................... Oisin Murphy ABERTILLERY (50) M Blanshard 5 8-12 .................. D Probert SIXTIES IDOL (28) Miss S West 4 8-10 ................... N Alison (3) BETTING: 9-4 Smiley Bagel, 5 Cold Fusion, 6 Graceful Lady, 8 Rezwaan, 10 Street Art, 12 Santadelacruze, Frankie, 14 Sir Jack, Tarakkom, 16 Others. SPIRITUAL STAR (27) L Carter 8 9-7 (CD) ........... P Bradley (5) WINK OLIVER (11) J Hughes 5 9-7 ........................ P Cosgrave STORMBOUND (78) P Cole 8 9-7 (CD) ........................ L Morris ZABDI (21) L Carter 4 9-6 (D) ...................... Josephine Gordon POLAR KITE (32) M Attwater 9 9-6 (C3, D2) ......... Rob Hornby GREYFRIARSCHORISTA (26) P Evans 10 9-5 (CD) ....... A Kirby FREDDY WITH A Y (18) J R Jenkins 7 9-5 (C2) ............. P Aspell GEORGE BAKER (41) G Baker 10 9-4 (D3) ............... S Drowne TSUNDOKU A Dunn 6 9-4 .................................. L Steward (3) COSMIC RAY (18)JLEyre59-3(CD) ............................... JHart SHIFTING STAR (78) J Bridger 12 9-2 (C2, D4) ..Jane Elliott (7) MAJESTIC MYLES (14) L Carter 9 9-1 (C) ................... K O’Neill BETTING: 11-4 Zabdi, 11-2 Tsundoku, 7 Wink Oliver, Polar Kite, 8 Stormbound, Freddy With A Y, 14 Spiritual Star, George Baker, Cosmic Ray, Greyfriarschorista, 16 Others. (32) D Elsworth 10 9-12 (D2) (33) T Dascombe 5 9-9 (C, D)...R (19) M Wigham 8 9-7 (BF, D3).. (46) Mrs A Murphy 6 9-4 (CD2)...Josephine (16) P Evans 9 9-3 (CD) (6) P Evans 4 8-9 (CD) BETTING: 11-10 Flowers On Venus, 3 Fairway To Heaven, 9-2 Burning Thread, 10 Bush Warrior, 12 Head Space, 20 Silver Springs. (48) D Kubler 9-5 (CD) ..................... L Morris (18) P Crate 9-4 (CD) ................................ T Queally (18) R Hughes 9-4 ........... S W Kelly (12) S Dow 9-4 (CD2) .......... N Mackay (117) J Tuite 9-4 ........... Oisin Murphy (148) P McEntee 9-3 (D) ....... Josephine Gordon (79) D Cantillon 9-3 ................... L Keniry (89) D Brown 9-2 ............................... S Levey (12) R Hodges 9-2 ................ D Probert (40) A Carroll 9-2 .................. G Downing BETTING: 4 Goodwood Crusader, 9-2 Mercers, 5 Roundabout Magic, 6 Met By Moonlight, 8 Coping Stone, 10 Canberra Cliffs, Dontforgettocall, Dixie’s Double, 14 Others.