Gosdens to Haq up in the Lincoln
FATHER and son John and Thady Gosden can celebrate a notable success since becoming joint licence holders with HAQEEQY (3.10, nap ITV) in today’s Unibet Lincoln.
The progressive fouryear-old has failed only once to show his true colours when denied a clear run on his penultimate outing at Newmarket.
Haqeeqy finished the season on a winning note to beat Cold Front at Doncaster in September.
The gelding runs off an 8lb higher mark at Doncaster today but that will be offset by capable apprentice Benoit De La Sayette taking off 7lb.
The lightly-raced SPACE TRAVELLER (2.00, ITV) will be hard to catch. On his only outing last term, the five-year-old finished sixth behind Circus
Maximus in a Group One at Royal Ascot, beaten less than five lengths.
The handicapper has given ARTISTIC RIFLES (2.35, ITV) a cracking chance in the Unibet Spring Mile. He is only 1lb higher than when beating Dawaaleeb (5lb worse off) at Redcar in September, with fourth home Spiorad now 3lb worse.
Recent breathing and gelding operations should bring a change of fortunes for EMARAATY ANA (3.45, ITV). If the five-yearold repeats his running when third behind Oxted at Newmarket in June he will take some catching.
At Kempton, the Gosdens also have the answer with GLOBAL GIANT (1.45, nb, ITV). He was unlucky not to win the Bahrain Trophy at Sakhir on his penultimate start.
Progressive AL ZARAQAAN (2.15, treble, ITV) comes here with plenty of Haggas stable confidence and is expected to defy his top weight.At Newbury HOOPER (2.50, ITV) can make it three wins on the bounce.A lucky winner at Hereford last time out, his second behind Copperless at Market Rasen in October reads well.
In-form trainer Dan Skelton can enjoy more celebrations with MARADA (3.25, ITV).
The mare’s recent win at Huntingdon received a timely boost when the second won his next start.