4.00 Lingfield: the one race you cannot afford to miss on Tuesday

4.00 Lingfield
Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Handicap | 6f | 3yo | Sky

Joseph O'Brien has been successful with three of his five assaults on all-weather tracks in Britain this season and Dark Vader will be a warm order to improve that record further.

The son of Dark Angel bumped into subsequent Coventry Stakes winner Arizona on his Curragh debut last May, but he has been progressing nicely at Dundalk over the winter, winning two of his last three starts.

A maiden win over 7f in late November opened his account, but it was his impressive success over a furlong shorter back at the track last month which stamped him down as a classy colt with a bright future.

Sent off 2-5 favourite, Dark Vader was sent straight to the front by Declan McDonogh and never saw another rival on the way to a cosy two-and-a-quarter length victory over Power Ahead. The third home, Briseuse De Coeur, did not exactly frank the form by finishing fifth next time.

Joseph O'Brien: has two runners at Lingfield on TuesdayCredit: Laura Green

Given that Dark Vader has been tried over a mile and won over 7f, expect today's rider Oisin Murphy to be positive on Dark Vader who will come out of stall five.

Hamish Macbeth is an interesting rival for Dark Vader as he was a close third in the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes at Irish Champions Weekend. He has an identical mark to 90-rated Dark Vader.

What the stats say?

Richard Hughes has been successful with four of his last nine runners and he is represented by I'm Digby.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Hamish Macbeth, has a 43 per cent strike-rate at the venue this season.

What the connections say?

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Dark Vader
He's in good shape and travelled over well. It looks a nice race for him. He's quite versatile with regards to trip, he's won over six furlongs and seven furlongs so this shouldn't be a problem. He should be very competitive.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Hamish Macbeth
He's been pleasing us in his recent work at home and is back from a break. If he wins or runs well in this, the plan would be to run him on All-Weather Finals day in April but we'll have to see how he handles the track first.

David O'Meara, trainer of Dazzling Des
They went no gallop when he ran there last time which meant he was a bit keen. Hopefully they go a better pace this time although his outside draw in seven might be a bit tricky.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Lexington Rebel
He's back from a break and has been pleasing us at home. He looks to have the right draw in stall one. Silvestre de Sousa is firing in the winners so we're hopeful.

Kieran O'Neill, rider of I'm Digby
It's a tough race but he's no weight on his back and looks as if the drop back to six furlongs should suit him.

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