Meade hopeful of Lincoln glory on historic weekend for his team

A massive weekend lies in store for trainer Martyn Meade as he fields two serious contenders for 32Red Lincoln glory on Saturday in Dolphin Vista and Chelsea Lad, ahead of his move from Newmarket to Manton.

The Sefton Lodge trainer, who saddled his first Group 1 winner when Aclaim landed the Prix de La Foret last October, moves his string and many of his staff to Manton on Sunday.

He is hoping to do so on the back of success in the £100,000 Doncaster cavalry charge, the first big race of the Flat turf season.

His runners boast proven form in big-field valuable handicaps, Dolphin Vista having landed the Cambridgeshire last September at odds of 50-1, while 16-1 stablemate Chelsea Lad finished fourth.

Dolphin Vista, who had a spin over hurdles at Fakenham earlier this year, is now 6lb higher in the weights, so Meade is negating that rise by using talented 7lb claimer Jason Watson.

“I think Jason’s 7lb claim could be of huge benefit in such a competitive race,” he said on Wednesday. “Hurdling has sharpened Dolphin Vista up over the winter. It wasn’t his game but it woke him up and he’s really enjoying life at the moment.

“The key to him is soft ground, which he’s certainly going to get at Doncaster, and I’m expecting a really big run.”

While Dolphin Vista managed to land a huge pot last season, Chelsea Lad, who will be partnered by Oisin Murphy on Saturday, proved most frustrating and drew a blank in seven starts.

However, his last run, when second in the 1m4f November Handicap on Town Moor, was arguably a career-best, and Meade believes there is plenty more to come.

“I thought he ran a fantastic race in the November Handicap,” he said. “He was unlucky all last year. Things just never clicked for him.

“He’s wintered well, and runs well fresh. He’ll like the soft ground too and should run a big race.”

Punters seemed to agree with Meade’s assessment as Chelsea Lad’s odds were shortened to 16-1 (from 20) by bet365 on Wednesday.In addition to the move to Manton on Sunday, Meade could be represented at Naas that afternoon by Wilamina in the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes, although the presence of Aidan O’Brien’s dual Group 1 heroine Rhododendron among the nine entries may lead to a change of plan.

“Wilamina is fine but I’m not sure whether I would want to take on Rhododendron first time out,” said Meade. “I know you should never be frightened of one horse, but I may have to reconsider.”

The transfer of a big team of horses, including Eminent, who has Royal Ascot’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes as his target, and staff to Manton is scheduled to begin on Sunday morning.

“The lorries will roll in early on Sunday and I’m hoping all the horses will be tucked up by evening stables at Manton,” said the trainer.

“It’s a daunting prospect, and I’ll be holding my breath for two or three days. I hope everything works when we get there. I’m sure it will.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity at an amazing place, and we’re all really looking forward to getting there and sending out more winners.”

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