The Scotsman

Ahlreb can back up Wolverhamp­ton triumph with victory at Lingfield

- By GLENDALE

can notch back-toback wins with victory in the AWC Mile Handicap at Lingfield.

The grey son of War Front is already a winner at the Surrey circuit, having confirmed de but promise when striking gold on his second and final start for Charlie Hills in September.

Alrehb changed hands for 120,000 guineas as part of the Shadwell dispersal the followingm­onth and is now in the care of Newmarket handler Kevin Philippart De Foy.

The four-year-old made an encouragin­g start for his new connection­s when runner-up at Newcastle tot yr rh en ian sea–a horse who has won twice more since and is now rated 99.

Alrehb is forgiven a slightly disappoint­ing run at Kempton on his next start, having lost a shoe during the race, and is better judged on his recent triumph at Wolverhamp­ton.

He appeared well suited by the drop back to seven furlongs and was ultimately good value for the official winning margin of a neck. Still lightly raced and open to further progress, a 2lb rise may underestim­ate his potential.

Alazwar is also expected to make it successive wins in the Betway Novice Stakes. Archie

Watson's Huntingdon bumper scorer was third over hurdles at Market Rasen on his penultimat­e outing before making a successful debut on the Flat at Wolverhamp­ton a fortnight ago. It was stamina that won the day at Dunstall Park, so Watson's decision to step up from an extended mile to a mile and a quarter looks a wise one. Alazwar must concede weight all round, but should be up the task.

Solanna rates the best bet at Kempton in the racingtv.com Handicap.

The Helmet colt's first few efforts in maiden and novice company were fairly uninspirin­g,intruth,aswashisha­ndicap debut in the autumn.

However,hewaswells­upported on his reappearan­ce at Lingalrehb field last month - and while his supporters were ultimately left counting the cost, he was only beaten two and a half lengths.

He proved that apparent confidence was not entirely misplaced over this course and distance last time – winning in the styleofaho­rsewhoisca­pableof defying a 5lb hike.

Saigon holds obvious claims in the Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Novice Stakes.

A son of Frankel out of highclass racemare Silk Sari, the four-year-old has presumably not been straightfo­rward to train as he was gelded and underwentw­indsurgery­before he even ran. But Marco Botti's charge has plenty of ability judged on his debut here as he was beaten just three-quarters ofalengthi­ntothirdby­twopreviou­s winners in Seven Pockets and Figures, who dead-heated.

Saigon will not need to improve much, if at all, to open his account.

Itwillbein­terestingt­oseehow Invictus Smart fares on his British debut at Market Rasen.

An impressive display at Fontainebl­eau in November prompted prominent owner Robert Waley-cohen to go to £200,000 to secure his services at the Goffs sale at Yorton a few days later. He will encounter much quicker conditions in Lincolnshi­re, but it will neverthele­ss be disappoint­ing if he is unable to make a successful start on these shores.

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