Rapper's delight as Big Narstie lands gamble for Spencer

The Richard Spencer-trained Big Narstie proved up to the task when landing a gamble in the 7f maiden, with the colt’s namesake, the British rapper and MC, possibly having joined in the punt.

Backed from 4-1 into 5-2, Big Narstie was always in the mix under Hayley Turner before outbattling Give Em The Slip to win by half a length, much to the delight of winning connections.

Spencer said: “The owner Phil Cunningham’s son Aidan contacted Big Narstie and told him to back him so hopefully he was on. He came into the yard to see the horse last year and enjoyed his visit, and has spent some time in Aidan’s recording studio in London.”

Big Narstie later tweeted: “Time to celebrate” with a video of him dancing.

The victory was a first in the Rebel Racing colours for Turner, who was maintaining an association with Big Narstie having ridden him on his debut in France last month on which occasion she was able to claim 3lb.

Were it not for travel restrictions Big Narstie could have been appearing at Deauville rather than Lingfield, and Spencer said: “With all the upheaval we thought it easier to run him here, but he could be going back to France when it’s easier to get over there.”

Crusader kicks off good day for HQ

Darragh Keenan and Capla Crusader open the card with victory in the 1m2f handicapCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Newmarket stables won the first four races on the card, kicking off with Capla Crusader, who gave Chris Dwyer a second winner since the recent resumption of his training career in the opening 1m2f handicap.

The former jockey is now training out of the second oldest yard in Newmarket at Albert House Stables, and the 11-2 winner, who had lost any chance he had at the start on his previous outing, was better from the gate this time in registering a tidy win under Darragh Keenan for owners Strawberry Fields Stud.

Dwyer’s assistant Tim Hide, who led up the winner, said: “Chris trains for Global Racing, but is open to other winners such as Strawberry Fields, who own this fellow.

“He missed the break totally here last time and we’ve done some stalls work with him and it’s paid off.”

Pearce sees Red at 66-1

Simon Pearce briefly shut down his operation in early January after a couple of his team ran badly, but he celebrated a first winner since when Red Evelyn struck at 66-1 in the mile novice stakes.

Joey Haynes was in the van all the way on the daughter of Garswood, who struck late to deny front-runner Valentinka.

Pearce was represented by his mother Lydia, who said: “Simon had some sort of underlying virus in the string at the beginning of the month and this is only his second runner back.

“She may have been 66-1, but that was no surprise as she wasn’t beaten far here last time and has enjoyed this longer trip.”

Varian's loyalty pays off

Cameron Noble thanked his boss Roger Varian for resurrecting his career in recent months after steering the stable’s Mutahamisa to a narrow win in the 7f handicap.

Noble’s 3lb claim proved decisive in the closing stages of the six-runner affair when the top weight held the late surge of River Wharfe to win by a head.

Noble said: “Fair play to Mr Varian, who said last year that if I got my weight down he would give me opportunities. He’s a man of his word.”

Pirate plunders feature again

The rain gauge was full at Lingfield which meant the surface was riding quick and much to the liking of Pirate King, who landed the feature 1m4f handicap for the second year running.

Charlie Fellowes got a win on the board for the first time this year after Kieran Shoemark swept late on the top weight to deny the returning Martin Harley a winner on runner-up Midnights Legacy.

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