Whose turn is it now? Analysis and trainer quotes for trademark Lingfield sprint handicap teaser

The Thames Boatman: three of his six victories have come at LingfieldCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Five members of this field clashed in a Class 2 handicap over course and distance at the end of last month won by Kylian.

Half-length runner-up Existent fared best, finishing a short head in front of Bedford Flyer, with 33-1 shot Night On Earth fourth, Grace Angel fifth, and The Thames Boatman sixth.

Run that race five times and you would probably get five different results; that’s the nature of this type of Lingfield handicap featuring a clutch of fully exposed performers.

The Thames Boatman, who got no cover out wide during the early stages of that contest, is better drawn in stall five now and it would be no surprise if he came out on top this time.

He has been dropped 1lb by the handicapper and, although still 2lb above his last winning mark, Lingfield does tend to bring out the best in The Thames Boatman, with three of his six wins having been recorded there.

Michaela’s Boy, one of two runners for Robert Cowell, is likely to make a bold bid from stall one. He beat Existent by a head last time out at Wolverhampton and competed off much higher marks during his three-year-old days.

It might be pertinent to point out, though, that he did finish four and three-quarter lengths behind The Thames Boatman at Lingfield in September, and is only 2lb better off.

Bedford Flyer, fifth in that race, is also 2lb better off with The Thames Boatman.

This is one of those typical Lingfield all-weather handicaps which will be decided by a combination of jockeyship and luck in running.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Mick Appleby, trainer of Bedford Flyer
He seems to have come back to form recently and he ran a good race at the course last time. He should be going there with a live chance again.

Robert Cowell, trainer of Ziggy's Missile and Michaela's Boy
This is a different type of race to the one Michaela's Boy would've run in if Friday's meeting had been on. He's got a good draw and I felt he won comfortably last time, but there's going to be more of an issue getting him to the front as there is plenty of speed on. He has it in him to run well again. Ziggy's was a little disappointing last time, but he's a bullish, heavy horse and a run or two should be what he needs to get him right there.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Existent and Diomed Spirit
Existent has been running well, but he obviously isn't easy to win with. Diomed Spirit is in good form, but will need luck from the outside draw [stall 9].
Reporting by Peter Scargill