Encore D'Or out to go one better than a year ago in speed test

2.05 Lingfield
Betway Hever Sprint Stakes | Listed | 5f | ITV4/SKY

Encore D'Or is favourite to reverse the form of 12 months ago with Gracious John in a fascinating renewal of a sprint in which last year's 1-2 are joined by 2017 winner Royal Birth.

The Robert Cowell-trained Encore D'Or has had a later than usual start to his all-weather season, which began with a gutsy win over the reopposing Ornate in a fast-track qualifier for all-weather finals day at Newcastle last month.

Encore D'Or went down by a short head to the consistent Gracious John in this a year ago, when he was trying to concede 3lb to the winner, but carries no extra burden this time.

The seven-year-old is part-owned by his breeder Newsells Park Stud, and their racing manager Gary Coffey said: "Encore D'Or didn't go out to Dubai this winter and the plan is all-weather finals day.

"He ran well in the race last year when just touched off and is well drawn to try to go one better. He's a nice horse and a course-and-distance winner, so we're looking forward to the race."

Gracious John: has not won on the all-weather since his success in this race 12 months agoCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gracious John has not won on the all-weather since his success in this 12 months ago, but the David Evans-trained horse has some decent bits of form, including his second to the reopposing Corinthia Knight over course and distance in December.

Corinthia Knight is one of two runners for Archie Watson, the other being Gorgeous Noora, who posted a career best when chasing home the smart Kachy in the Listed Cleves Stakes here last time.

Although that was over six furlongs, Watson is not fazed by dropping her back to the minimum trip and the plan is grab some more black type before she heads off to be covered by Zoustar this spring.

Watson said: "Gorgeous Noora shows plenty of speed at home and showed plenty when chasing home Kachy last time, suggesting she'll be competitive here. This looks a good opportunity to get some more important black type."

Corinthia Knight: should be in the mix, says trainer Archie WatsonCredit: Getty Images

On Corinthia Knight, he added: "You can forget his last run as he over-anticipated the start and got left when the stalls opened. Providing he gets the start right this time around, he has form that suggests he should be in the mix."

The 2017 winner Royal Birth, who was fifth behind Gracious John and Encore D'Or a year ago, fared well on his first start after ten months off when chasing home Tropics at Chelmsford last month.

Trainer Stuart Williams said: "He ran well after a long time off at Chelmsford the other day. He's entitled to come on for that but he'll have to as it looks competitive. Hopefully, like many in the race, this could set us up nicely for finals day."

The field is completed by the ex-Cowell-trained Ornate, now with David Griffiths and who chased home Encore D'Or last time at Newcastle.

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