HARRY’S LION WIDE AWAKE
Harry Charlton could land his first major success since taking over the Beckhampton licence when Sleeping lion bids for his second victory in Kempton’s Virgin Bet Queen’s Prize Handicap.
the Sunbury regular got his hands on the staying handicap on his debut for the Charlton team in 2021 before returning to finish fifth last season and the nine-year-old’s last three appearances have all come on the allweather at this venue.
three of the experienced stayer’s five career victories have been at Kempton and his handler believes local knowledge can see him thereabouts once again.
“He’s not really a horse for undulating tracks and he doesn’t like soft ground so we quite often come back to Kempton,” said Charlton, who has taken over solely after a spell alongside his father, roger.
“If he runs his usual kind of race, he will be thereabouts, whether he is improving, it’s hard to say at that age, but he’s very consistent and very enthusiastic.”
James owen is another handler who could establish himself as a leading player on the Flat this season and his impressive Catterick hurdles winner Sweet Fantasy changes tack in search of this valuable prize.
“the plan was to go to Musselburgh for the big handicap last weekend and she was declared to run but unfortunately it was called off and we have come here with her,” said owen.
“I would rather run her on the grass but she works very well on the all-weather and has some back-form on the all-weather.
“the step up in trip will massively help her and she looked a solid stayer over hurdles.
Regular
James Fanshawe’s novel legend was a regular in the top staying contests last season and finished the year competing in the Group one Prix royal-oak in France.
He will carry top weight, while andrew Balding’s Spirit Mixer is 1lb lower than when chasing home star stayer trueshan in the 2022 northumberland Plate and is sure to be sharper for his lingfield return from a long 328day absence last month.
Ian Williams’ aqwaam landed the victory he had been threatening at lingfield on Good Friday and will go in search of his second win in the space of eight days off a 4lb higher rating.
“He ran very well at lingfield last time and 4lb doesn’t look too extreme against what he has achieved, so we would be hopeful of another decent run,” said Williams.
“It’s always good to pick up a decent prize, so it would be good to see him go well again.”