THE BUZZ

by Wetherbee

RACE ONE

This can go the way of POUGNE AMINTA, who ran a cracker on her hurdles debut at Southwell and should be open to plenty more improvement on just her third start under Rules. Bridget Breeze ran a promising race when third at Ayr and she is likely to be thereabouts, along with Ol’river Shine, who was behind a couple of subsequent winners at Plumpton on her hurdles bow.

WIN: POUGNE AMINTA

RACE TWO

DANGER: Bridget Breeze

A taking winner on his chase debut at Market Rasen earlier in the month, there should be plenty more improvement forthcoming from SOMEWHAT CLOUDY as she looks to follow up off a 5lb higher mark. Donald McCain’s mare may not be inconvenienced by the drop in trip and gets the vote ahead of Beat The Edge, who can bounce back from his latest effort, and Getaway Jewel, who has dropped down 1lb below his last winning mark.

WIN: SOMEWHAT CLOUDY

RACE THREE

DANGER: Beat The Edge

CRUZ CONTROL may have not run up to scratch when last seen in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham in January, but this represents a steep drop in grade as the six-year-old looks to bounce back to the form that saw him win easily at Newcastle on his hurdles debut. Thistlebuffs may have been beaten a long way at Kelso but the form of that race has worked out well and must enter calculations alongside newcomer Nab Wood.

WIN: CRUZ CONTROL

RACE FOUR

DANGER: Thistlebuffs

Dancewiththewind is interesting dropping back in distance with Ryan Mania returning to the saddle, but Pyramid Place is higher on the shortlist having had both Celestial Horizon (sixth) and Front View (last) in behind him when he was a good third on his penulitmate start here. However, preference is for the class-dropping HARDY DU SEUIL who is likely to find this is much more to his liking, after struggling in Sandown’s Imperial Cup last time out, and first-time cheekpieces further aid his claims.

WIN: HARDY DU SEUIL

RACE FIVE

DANGER: Pyramid Place

East Street (fourth) wasn’t quite at his best here last month and it would come as no surprise to see him bounce back to give FEIVEL (winner) more of a test today. However, the latter showed a touch of quality under pressure before eventually asserting to emerge as a comfortable winner on the day. The eight-year-old wasn’t disgraced when second in a higher grade at Sandown and he is taken to resume winning ways. Shetland Bus and Lounge Lizard complete the shortlist.

WIN: FEIVEL

Race Six

DANGER: East Street

ROSTELLO impressed despite jumping to the left when getting back to winning ways at Southwell last week and he is taken to follow up turned out quickly under a 7lb penalty. No Regrets is unexposed at the trip and rates as a possible improver in first-time cheekpieces, while Where’s Hector also has the potential to step forward now faced with a sterner test of stamina. Ballynagran has won over C&D in the past and is another that could enter calculations.

WIN: ROSTELLO

Race Seven

DANGER: No Regrets

AMARBELLE’S DREAM will need to put her Warwick disappointment behind her but Fergal O’Brien’s filly would hold leading claims judged on her debut second here in December and a first-time tongue tie may help the four-year-old get back on track. Storm Spirit was only just denied when promoted to second on her racecourse bow at Newcastle last month and is feared most, while any market support for unraced duo Perfect Poli and Miss Goldfire should be heeded.

WIN: AMARBELLE’S DREAM

DANGER: Storm Spirit

PREMIER ENCLOSURE

• Wetherby Millenium Stand

• Level 1 – The Tack Room Coffee Shop

• Level 2 – Marston Moor Bar

• Level 3 – White Rose Bistro*

• Level 4 – White Horse Mezzanine Bar

• Millennium West Stand

• Level 3 – 1891 Bar

(Please check opening timings on the day)

*The White Rose Bistro is popular and often sells out in advance. Please check availability on the day at the White Rose reception desk.

PADDOCK ENCLOSURE

• Wetherby Millenium Stand

• Level 1 – New for 2022! The Tack Room Coffee Shop

• Millennium West Stand

• Level 1 – Henry Crossley Bar

• Bramham Hall

• Paddock Bar

OUTSIDE CATERING MOBILES

Horsewalk

Course Enclosure

VIP Hospitality ‘B’Car Park

Annual Badge Holders (Reserved) ‘A’Car Park

Course Entrance &Turnstiles

FRESH bistro FRESH CAFE FRESH HOT ROLLS FRESH PIES FRESH PANINIS

Main Entrance &Turnstiles

The Tack Room Coffee Shop.... Level 1 Millennium Stand

Open to both Premier & Paddock Enclosure racegoers.

Annual Badge Holders ‘C’Car Park

Serving Barista style coffees, speciality teas, hand-baked cakes & brownies and Panini’s This is an alcohol-free zone

• Roast of the Day

• Selection of Fresh Hot Dishes • Side Dishes

• Daily Hot Specials • Blue Plate Salads

• Selection of Freshly made Sandwiches • Snacks

• Hand Baked Cakes • Coffee and Tea Infusions

• Chilled Minerals and Juices

• Selection of Carved Meats served in Speciality Breads with a variety of accompaniments and dressings

• Selection of Tasty Hot Pies and Pastries served with accompaniments

• Selection of Paninis served with Salad Garnish

William Of York got the previous meeting off to a fine start, defeating Sonnemoser by a length for trainer Dan Skelton and jockey Tristan Durrell

It was actually Sonnemoser who was the most popular choice in the market but as unable to justify that support. However, the Dr Richard Newland-trained six-year-old was hampered during the run-in.

The following race saw short-priced favourite Springwell Bay justify his 1-4 starting price by securing a length-and-three-quarters success over Hurricane Highway for trainer Jonjo O’Neill.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr was on board the six-year-old and despite not being fluent when threee out, still had more than enough to fend off any danger from the Evan Williams-trained gelding. The pair were comfortably clear of the remainder of the field with Navigate West a further 23 lengths behind second.

Samuel Drinkwater and Robbie Dunne teamed up to take the honours in the Sandra Finch Surprise Handicap Chase with Gallic Geordie completing a relatively comfortable win ahead of Ladronne. The veteran 10-year-old was held up towards the rear by Dunne before being shaken to take the lead approaching two out. There was never any danger of him relinquishing the lead. Fulgurix and Jet Plane finished third and fourth respectively.

Trainer Olly Murphy continued his excellent recent form by securing the fourth race of the day with Go Dante, who cruised to a three-anda-half length victory over Mcgowan’s Pass with Sean Bowen on board. The son of Kayf Tara was prominent in the early stages before going second when three out. Bowen then asked for more from the seven-year-old and he duly obliged, staying on well to put the race beyond doubt.

Famous Bridge made it back-to-back wins here, following up his recent win at this tracke earlier in the month. The Nicky Richards-trained gelding was always doing enough and justified his 6-5 starting price. Sean Quinlan took over from Brian Hughes and ensured it was a good month for connections. Lord Of Kerak and First Lord De Cuet finished second and third respectively.

The penultimate race of the day saw a comfortable four-and-a-half length success for Fiadh. Trained by Chris Grant, the seven-year-old benefitted from the first time application of cheekpieces, responding well to a disappointing trip at Newcastle last time out. This win saw Quinlan complete a double on the day.

Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen enjoyed more success in the final race of the day with Indeevar Bleu completing an emphatic 12-length victory in the bumper. The five-year-old was soon clear and was eased towards the finish in an impressive outing.

Lingfield Park

Southwell

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