Blast all set to graduate with honours

ABSOLUTE BLAST has made a swift ascent in the ratings since transferring to Britain before Christmas and she can cap off a fantastic campaign by taking the Betway Easter Classic, the highlight of All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Lingfield.

The five-year-old was initially trained by Iain Jardine and she made significant progress in four starts for that trainer, winning twice before moving to the care of Archie Watson in February.

Watson has similarly kept her on an upward trajectory, with the mare beaten just half a length in third behind the reopposing Convey in the Winter Derby before posting her best effort yet when winning the Listed Magnolia Stakes at the beginning of the month.

She triumphed by just a neck that day, but the way in which she kept on all the way to the line allayed any fears about whether she truly handles this 10-furlong trip.

Absolute Blast obviously has a little ground to find with Convey, but she is 2lb better off at the weights this time and is sure to be in there pitching at the finish again.

Sovereign Debt finished third in the Magnolia and if he can land the Sunbets AllWeather Mile Championships earlier on the card, Absolute Blast’s price will likely contract a bit more.

And there is every chance the eight-year-old can lift the title for Ruth Carr after making a fine debut for the yard in that Kempton heat.

Previously trained by David Nicholls, Sovereign Debt won a richly-endowed contest in Qatar back in February and is seemingly in as good a form as ever following his recent half-length defeat.

That 10-furlong trip probably represents the limit of his stamina but he still appeared a bit unlucky in defeat as he was short of room at a crucial stage, so it will be little surprise if he bounces back to winning form here.

Ashadihan should be primed for victory in the 32Red All-Weather Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships following a recent prep success at Chelmsford.

She saw off Volunteer Point, who is also in the field, with the minimum of fuss that day and with some fair Group One form in the book from last year, she certainly makes plenty of appeal.

Favourite Muffiri’Ha will obviously be hard to beat but Ashadihan looks a more sensible option at the prices.

Her trainer Kevin Ryan should also be on the mark at Newcastle as he takes the wraps off his Classic hope Syphax in the 32Red Burradon Conditions Stakes.

This son of Arch is unbeaten in two starts, with his Acomb success at York last August marking him out as a horse of real potential this term.