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Doyle out to Move Swiftly at Lingfield before hitting the Breeders' Cup trail

William Haggas bids to extend his recent monopoly of the Listed Ladbrokes Home Of the Odds Boost EBF Fleur De Lys Fillies Stakes (2.35) at Lingfield with Move Swiftly.

The master of Somerville Lodge has won the last two runnings with the now retired Muffri'Ha and his hopes rest with Move Swiftly here, who was beaten just a neck by Bella Ragazza in a decent mile handicap at Newmarket last time.

As it was seven lengths back to the third that day, that was a very credible performance from a filly who was also a two-time winner on all-weather surfaces earlier this year.

Like all opponents in the 12-strong line-up, the daughter of Farhh is out to bag some black type and is the sort of filly who could progress to Group company as a four-year-old.

James Doyle, who steered Muffri'Ha to success 12 months ago, maintains his association with Move Swiftly before flying out to ride for the stable at the Breeders Cup.

Haggas' wife Maureen said: "Move Swiftly is a progressive filly who doesn't mind the all-weather and shows a bit of speed which you need around Lingfield. She would go there with a chance in an open race."

The winner of the mile Polytrack contest is guaranteed a free start in the £150,000 Ladbrokes All-Weather Fillies & Mares Championship back at Lingfield Park on Good Friday.

Roger Varian had the second in the contest two years ago and is double-handed with Shenanigans, the mount of Jason Watson, and Rasima, who will be ridden by David Egan.

The Newmarket trainer said: "The draw machine hasn’t been kind to either Shenanigans or Rasima, but both go well on an artificial surface and have the form to be right in the thick of things at this level. I am pleased with the pair of them heading into this and I think they will be hard to split."

The one penalised runner in the race is Castle Hill Cassie, who has a 3lb burden thanks to her victory in a Listed contest at Pontefract in August.

Yorkshire-based trainer Ben Haslam said: "Castle Hill Cassie is in good form. She has come out of her run when eighth in the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster last time very well. She won over what I think is the stiffest seven-furlong all-weather track at Newcastle and the sharpness of Lingfield could suit."

Other contenders to note include all-weather specialist Lucymai, who finished third in the All-Weather Fillies & Mares Championship on Good Friday in April.

Cumani two-handed in rival Listed race

Luca Cumani is retiring from training in December but he aims two at the Listed Ladbrokes Bet £5 Get £20 EBF River Eden Fillies' Stakes (3.05).

The master of Bedford House won the 1m5f contest two years ago with Bess Of Hardwick and his chief contender in the 11-strong contest this time around would be Alwaysandforever, who was second at this level at Newmarket in August.

More recently, the four-year-old finished fourth in a similar contest at Bath and is making her all-weather debut.

Cumani, who also saddles Pacharana, said: "Alwaysandforever has been running consistently well all year including when second at Listed level and hopefully she can go one better.

"She seems in good form which also applies to Pacharana. She was third at this level last year and went to stud but she didn't get into foal. She came back into training a bit late and ran well the other day."

An interesting runner is the Willie Mullins-trained Law Girl who is making her second consecutive British appearance following her 13th to stablemate Low Sun in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

Thomas Campbell on display at Stratford

Nicky Henderson may have labelled Thomas Campbell a 'reprobate', but the gelding certainly has the quality to match his quirks and looks an exciting recruit to the novice chasing division. He makes his debut over fences in the Charlotte Cole Memorial Beginners' Chase (1.40).

The six-year-old's last win came in a Listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in November, where he readily came clear of the field to defy a mark of 148. Decent efforts when fifth in the Long Walk and sixth in the Cleeve Hurdle followed before his form tailed off in the latter part of the season.

Stowaway Magic looks his biggest threat and has the advantage of experience over fences, as he put up a good performance when narrowly denied by Delire D'Estruval at Carlisle. Sussex Road and Midnight Owle complete the line-up.

Elsewhere on the card, impressive point-to-point winner Shannon Hill starts off over hurdles in the opening Eric Harris Retires Today Maiden Hurdle (1.10) and Grade 2 winner Activial has his first start for Tom George in the Charlie Longsdon Racing Handicap Chase (2.45) where he will face Eastlake and Cobra De Mai.

George is also represented by bumper winner Seddon in the British Stallion Studs EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle (3.20), who was 12th of 23 in the Champion Bumper in March.


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David MilnesNewmarket correspondent

Published on 31 October 2018inPreviews

Last updated 15:48, 31 October 2018

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