Katie Midwinter (12/05/23)
LINGFIELD
2.25pm – Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3)
Queen Aminatu 7/2 – William Haggas, William Buick
Two fillies could be capable of posing a threat to the talented Sacred, as the switch to the all-weather opens up this Group Three contest. On ratings, Andrew Balding’s Sandrine is the biggest threat to the favourite and she has previous form on the surface having won a Novice event for fillies on the all-weather in the past.
The two-time Group Two winner represents a yard in form with jockey Oisin Murphy in the saddle, and must be respected. However, the nod goes to William Haggas’ apparent second string Queen Aminatu, a course-and-distance winner who has plenty of experience on the polytrack.
The four-year-old daughter of Muhaarar was disappointing on soft ground at the Curragh when last seen, but a return to this surface could allow her to bounce back to form and with only 3lbs to find with Sandrine she is one to consider.
3.35pm – Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes (Listed Race)
Military Order 11/10 – Charlie Appleby, William Buick
A full-brother to 2021 Derby winner Adayar, this three-year-old colt looks set to claim the plaudits at Lingfield on his first all-weather track appearance. He finished fourth on debut before recording back-to-back wins when landing a Novice prize at Newbury last month.
If he possesses a similar level of ability to his brother, he will be tough to beat and could take a step forward in perfect preparation ahead of his Epsom assignment. His breeding ensures he stands out in this field and he will shorten significantly in ante-post Derby markets with a winning performance, already as short as 5/1 with some firms.
Circle Of Fire is an interesting alternative. He won his maiden over a mile before placing second behind Castle Way at Newmarket last week, finishing ahead of Listed winner Victory Dance, in what could turn out to be a good formline.
ASCOT
2.40pm – Victoria Cup (Heritage Handicap)
In a twenty-three runner field there is a case to be made for plenty of contenders in the Victoria Cup this Saturday. With many old favourites in the field, familiar names and experienced old boys it’s a tricky contest to predict.
Lovely roan gelding Zip faces a tough task from stall 1, and doesn’t appear well handicapped on his current mark of 90 with 3lbs claimer Callum Hutchinson onboard. Richard Fahey’s charge does thrive in softer conditions however, and if the draw isn’t too much of an inconvenience he could be running on into the extra places.
Course-and-distance winner Orbaan is a threat on a going day and it would be no surprise to see him outrun his huge odds of 28/1. Whilst another to consider at a big price is the likable six-year-old Ropey Guest, a consistent horse who often outruns his odds.
Spycatcher, who won on his seasonal reappearance at Thirsk, will enjoy the trip and conditions but lacks experience in big fields which could be a cause for concern in this hot race. Pierre-Louis Jamin claims the usual 3lbs on his back, and he is a horse in-form but there may be other races more suited to him later on in the season.
Win selection:
Totally Charming 7/1 – George Boughey, Billy Loughnane (3)
Five-year-old gelding Totally Charming is drawn towards the middle in stall 13 and has Billy Loughnane onboard, a young jockey enjoying a successful start to his career so far. He is good value for his claim and with him taking the ride Totally Charming is ultimately running off a mark 2lbs higher than when winning over 7f on heavy ground in October.
Quite lightly raced for his age, Totally Charming wasn’t disgraced when last seen finishing seventh in the tough and competitive Irish Lincolnshire.The slight drop back in trip here could give him an advantage and there could be plenty more to come from him.
Each-way selection:
Safe Voyage 12/1 – John Quinn, Jason Hart
Testing ground will suit this veteran as he makes his forty-eighth career start. Back off the same mark of 97 as when touched off by I’m A Gambler at Leopardstown in September, he has shown he still possesses ability with a third-placed finish at Thirsk recently and has already received market support, backed in from 18/1 on Thursday evening to a best price of 12/1.
THE CONDITIONAL 