Despite having an array of post New Year jumps fixtures, this was only the second at the track to actually be on, the other insanely being on the same day as Fontwell (who offered a wadge of reciprocals to other sourhern courses’ members to win the battle of the attendance). Today the crowd was substantially augmented by Plumpton members on a similar freebie, which does make you wonder what the actual paying attendance was? Those that did cough up were a little short-changed as the six races included a bumper on the all-weather – surely all bumpers should constitute a seventh race on the card?

Lingfieldpark.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race [2m]

1: Aux Le Bahnn     2: Popcorn Rosie     3: Blackthorn Boy

Winner owned: AD Weller, trained: Noel Chance, ridden: William Kennedy

A slightly bigger field than these all-weather events tend to attract, and also the winner is probably much better than average for them as well. Although having been off for 14 months, Aux Le Bahnn had won his only other race, the form of which worked out well, and he saw off the oppo today fairly readily despite shaping as if the turns were a bit too tight for him. Popcorn Rosie stayed on to pinch second near the post to complete an encouraging debut. She looked fit and in rude health for this, so if there is any improvement to come, it will be mentally. On the positive side, she finished between Aux Le Bahnn and Blackthorn Boy, who between them brought the best form into the race. The other paddock pick was Supreme Melody, who only managed sixth but did step up on the drubbing received in his only previous run.  

Lingfield Park for Weddings Maiden Hurdle [2m ½f]

1: Lindop     2: Edgbriar     3: Classic Role

Winner owned & trained: Robert Alner, ridden: Robert Walford

This appeared to be a decent enough race, and it more or less went according to the form, although the margin of Lindop’s superiority was a surprise. He had won his only flat start before having four years off, and in two runs over hurdles had shaped as if he would be winning sooner rather than later. A statistical oddity is that Lingfield must be the only course where Robert Alner has a far better record with hurdlers than chasers. In three bumpers Edgbriar had not shaped like a speedster, and this trip is too short for him. He has now been second three times in a row, but his attitude seems fine. A bit further and some more jumping practice should sort him out. Classic Role is another to have been placed a lot without getting his head in front, and is a Placepot banker when he avoids the major meetings but he has failed in lesser tasks than this. Fourth was Just Jaffa who is poodling around in races and keeps being third, fourth or fifth. At the age of eight he is not up for much physical improvement, but would be interesting when he switches to fences. Down the field Duelling Banjos (sixth), Be Positive (eighth) and Mount Oscar (eleventh) were not knocked about when they were out of contention, but whilst the other two are en route to handicap company, Be Positive already has a rating which seems to be based purely on his very best run and may need to come down a notch or two. Less exciting was the effort of Charm Indeed, who found that switching to the Nicky Henderson yard was not a lucky charm at all, running just as moderately as he has always done.  

The pesky angle of the sun foiled later pictures, but this one has (from front to back) Be Positive, Lindop (second & hidden), Nostringsattached, Classic Role, Duelling Banjos, Edgbriar (hidden) Blaze On and Odal D'Airy

Lingfield Park for Exhibitions Handicap Chase [2m 4½f]

1: Ballyaahbutt     2: Glen Thyne     3: Suprendre Espere

Winner owned: Mrs A Ellis, trained: Brendan Powell, ridden: Mick Fitzgerald

A few recent placed efforts have seen Ballyaahbut float upwards in the handicap, which did not augur well for this, despite him vying for favouritism. The deserved success came because the only horse to pose any sort of threat over the last half mile or so was Glen Thyne, who is an out and out two miler and not equipped to exploit the winner's lack of a finishing burst. The pair were miles clear of the pack, amongst whom Suprendre Espere was best of the rest in his first hint of any aptitude for chasing, ahead of Maximinus, a fair hurdler who has also not got the hang of fences at all - this thrashing was his best yet! What did make life easier for the winner was the run of Gunship. A mistake at the second saw Tom O’Brien laying on his belly over the saddle, and although he made an amazing recovery in double quick time, it was wasted by Gunship not really jumping any better once it was achieved. One Step Closer was not knocked about after she blundered at the seventh and eighth, but she had a nasty cut and can be forgiven this run, although she will not win until she gets the regular serious error out of her system.

Lingfield Park for Conferences Novice Handicap Chase [2m 4½f]

1: Bible Lord     2: Dunsfold Duke     3: Gentleman Jimmy

Winner owned: M Tedham, trained: Andy Turnell, ridden: Mark Grant

Good prize money tempted a decent quality field, and produced an impressive winner in Bible Lord, who was up with the pace going well all along and surged clear stylishly from the third last. Given that he had done well in his last two races, both of which were of a solid standard, his SP of 6/1 was a shock – especially given that seconds before the off he was no longer than 9/2 on the rails. After letting himself down with a refusal last time, Dunsfold Duke was more amenable today, without suggesting that his mark of 125 is especially friendly. More encouraging was the run of Gentleman Jimmy, who had looked a doubtful stayer on his only other try much beyond two miles, but seemed more at home at it today – the clue being that the ground seemed to be riding faster the official good to soft for chases, soft on the hurdle track, as very few plodded home ultra-fatigued. Inaro stayed on for fourth after being outpaced with three quarters of a mile to go. Today he looked like he needed further, whereas past efforts hurdling have suggested this is too far. Is he just a nutter? The Hardy Boy has gone up too far in the weights now, and Obelix De Longechaux posted another tame effort. However, even the tailed off Coach Lane, who only faded from the third last, might bounce back in a less tightly contested race.

Lingfield Park Golf Course Novice Handicap Hurdle [2m 7f]

1: Georges Boy     2: Jades Double     3: Indian Chase

Winner owned & trained: Peter Jones, ridden: Charlie Studd

The line up was numerous but hardly inspiring, but that did not prevent them conspiring to produce an eventful last quarter of a mile. Aqua Pura, eventually fourth, had made the running but as they descended the hill Indian Chase was cruising alongside in a mocking fashion. He went on as they straightened up, only to falter two out and start treading water, with Jades Double treating him as he had been towards Aqua Pura. Amazingly, Georges Boy then whizzed (relatively speaking) by to have a clear lead at the last. He is no spring chicken but has threatened to win a small race like this. Benedict Bay appeared to finish strongly but it was helped by some non-stayers coming home less convincingly. La Concha ran better than might have been expected given he seems to want good or faster going.

Lingfieldpark.co.uk Handicap Hurdle [2m 3½f]

1: Cleopatra’s Theory     2: Jolly Boy     3: Hiho Silver Lining

Winner owned & trained: Terry Caldwell, ridden: Bernie Wharfe

As they climbed the hill after the third last, this was shaping to be quite a competitive race but once they turned for home Cleopatra’s Theory suddenly exploded into action and ran out a very comfortable winner. The inconsistent Jolly Boy won the separate battle for second after Hiho Silver Lining had got her head in front of him between the last two. Celtic Society kept on for fourth, well clear of the rest but only gradually overhauling the pair ahead of him.

Ones to Note

Edgbriar: two and a half mile hurdles will suit better

Duelling Banjos: Was not as competitive on this faster going but should have a reasonable handicap mark due imminently.

One Step Closer: had an excuse today, but does need to jump better

Gentleman Jimmy: Looks as if his stamina will last out longer on decent ground, and may not be the two mile specialist he has seemed

Captain’s Legacy: Disappointed in the staying hurdle, but looks the sort to come into his own chasing next season

In On The Act: Did not look a likely stayer in the 2m 7f race and ran accordingly in his handicap debut.

Ones to Avoid

Classic Role: Has ability but has also had several realistic chances and blown them

Inaro: Drifted in and out of the mood within a single race and his chase form is still only PP5F4