Why an unexposed Archie Watson contender stands out in Lingfield handicap

Tuesday: 3.30 Lingfield
Happy Birthday Jill Humphrey Handicap | 3yo | 7f | Sky

Archiano would surely be pressing for favouritism in this 7f handicap but for a shocking run when last seen in May.

Alarm bells ring loudly when horses drift markedly in the betting before a race and the Archie Watson-trained Archiano, who opened up at 9-1 on the show at Newbury but drifted out to 14-1 at the off, ran accordingly when last of eight.

That was his turf debut on good to soft going and he returns from a gelding operation and a 70-day break. Watson has an 18 per cent strike-rate with first-time geldings and that is a respectable three per cent above his overall success rate.

The thrice-raced son of Kodiac was slightly unlucky not to arrive with an unbeaten record at Newbury and reverting to the all-weather could ensure he bounces back.

Archiano is in theory the only front-runner in the field and is well placed in stall two on this tight course to take control of things early. Ridden by Tom Marquand, there is more to like than his early odds suggest.

Spring Is Sprung and Secret Strength are other likely players. They clashed at Windsor 15 days ago and finished fourth and sixth respectively, although eight lengths separated the pair and the handicapper has eased both 1lb in the weights.

Spring Is Sprung was shorter in the betting that day but never seemed to take to a first-time visor and that is left off here. He has every chance of bouncing back, but seven furlongs is an unknown.

Secret Strength is also largely unproven at this distance, but finished strongly enough over six furlongs at Windsor despite a bandage bizarrely falling down his left leg in the closing stages to suggest this trip is worth another try.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Simon Crisford, joint trainer of Another Romance
She’s back on the all-weather where she's shown good form in the past and we think she’ll be suited to going back over seven furlongs.

Nick Bell, assistant to Michael, trainer of Spring Is Sprung
He seems to be effective on the all-weather but the step up to seven furlongs is a bit of an unknown. It’s an easy seven around there though so he should be fine.

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of Baileysgutfeeling
He’s run well on the all-weather before and was a bit unlucky at Haydock last time. He’s got a wide draw so Andrea will have to work his way around but we expect him to run well in a competitive race.

Jim Boyle, trainer of Secret Strength
We think he’ll be suited to going back on the all-weather after a couple of disappointing efforts at Epsom. The track and trip will suit.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Little Prayer
She’s a course-and-distance winner after which she ran twice on the grass and she’ll be suited to going back on the all-weather. It’s a competitive race but we’ve stuck a pair of blinkers on her to sharpen her up.

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