All The King's Men out to cement Boughey's position at the head of title race

Saturday: 2.12 Lingfield
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George Boughey is going all out for the all-weather trainers' title and a 31 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight has given him a tidy cushion over his principal pursuer Mick Appleby.

Boughey is attacking the all-weather leg of the Winter Million fixture at Lingfield with four runners and arguably the most interesting of the quartet is All The King’s Men, who lines up on his debut for the stable after joining the Newmarket yard from Fabrice Chappet in France.

All The King’s Men doesn’t have anything in hand of his BHA mark of 79 judged on his best Racing Post Rating of 78, but there are plenty of reasons to think he may be capable of better.

Since the start of last year, horses having their first run for the Boughey stable have a healthy 18 per cent strike-rate and that increases to 25 per cent when considering those who had been gelded after joining the yard. This will be All The King’s Men’s first run after the procedure.

Boughey has also booked Ryan Moore to ride and the pair have teamed up for six winners, seven seconds and five thirds from 35 runners. That suggests a big run might be expected.

Million Thanks is another who makes his debut for another yard after being sold out of Kevin Ryan’s stable for 16,000gns to join the up-and-coming Kevin Philippart de Foy operation.

Philippart de Foy has a slightly lower strike-rate than Boughey with stable newcomers since the start of last year, operating at 14 per cent, and he fits a first-time tongue-strap. The trainer is 0-5 when applying that aid in the same period and four of those five runners finished unplaced.

Lord Rapscallion is the hat-trick seeker in the field following two wins at Chelmsford and the seven-year-old is still well treated on old form off a mark of 83. He was rated 102 at his peak.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Miss Bella Brand chases biggest success

Five-time scorer Miss Bella Brand is reported in top shape as she bids for her biggest success in this £22,000 Class 4 handicap.

All of the mare’s wins have been achieved in Class 5 or 6 company, but Newmarket trainer Ilka Gansera-Leveque believes her runner has conditions in her favour.

"She’s in great form, having won at Southwell last month before finishing second at Kempton," Gansera-Leveque said.

"She always gives 100 per cent, we’ve always believed in her, and she seems to be improving."

Those last two runs were over six furlongs, but Miss Bella Brand is a course-and-distance winner at seven furlongs.

"All our boxes are ticked," the trainer added. "I’m very happy with her draw in stall two, and we’ve got her regular rider George Wood."

What they say

James Tate, trainer of High Velocity
This is a bit of a shot into the unknown as it’s his first try at seven furlongs in a hood. He wears a hood at home every day, and we feel that if he manages to relax well he might be able to come home strongly at the trip.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Lord Rapscallion and Revolutionise
Lord Rapscallion has won his last two, and goes there at the very top of his game. I’ve no doubt he’ll go round Lingfield well from his decent draw in stall seven. Revolutionise is a bit in and out, but is capable on his day. He has run well at Lingfield before. I am hopeful that both will go well – whether one of them can win, I don’t know.

Jim Boyle, trainer of Secret Strength
He enjoyed a nice break, and had a comeback run three weeks ago. He’s come out of it well. Secret Strength boasts solid all-weather form, but is a hard horse to win with. I have got him in good shape, and it’s nice prize-money for the grade of race so I’m hopeful he’ll run very well.

Amy Murphy, trainer of Dancinginthewoods
He’s in good form and is most effective coming off a strong pace — he needs something to aim at. The big field and low draw in stall five should suit him.

Tony Carroll, trainer of Poetic Force
He’s a course-and-distance winner, and goes there in good form. It’s a competitive race – perhaps a little more competitive than the ones he’s been running in – but I’d say he has an each-way chance.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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