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Tom Marquand hungry for more after securing first career century

Tom Marquand: aiming to build on his tally after reaching a century of winners
Tom Marquand: aiming to build on his tally after reaching a century of winnersCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tom Marquand secured his first century last week and he has a good chance of extending his tally for 2018 with four rides at Lingfield on Tuesday.

Marquand, who has ridden five pattern winners in Britain this year and partnered his first winner four years ago, rides Collate (11.50), Mr Mac (12.20), Very Honest (12.50) and Madame Vitesse (2.50)

He said of his landmark achievement on Monday: "I am really happy with it. I am going away next week so it was a bit of a rush to get it; the last couple of weeks were a bit of a panic.

"I got to 86 last year so I was close but not close enough, so I did really want to reach the century. I would have been gutted if I didn't make it so I'm delighted."

Marquand added of his four rides: "I think my best chance would be Madame Vitesse. She has had three runs and was running on well at the finish last time at this course.

"She is drawn well and hopefully we can have a bit of luck. On previous form I would be surprised if we weren't thereabouts."

He continued: "Very Honest ran a good race last time and is drawn well. Collate probably has a bit to find, but Amy [Murphy] will have him fit and well, and we have a wide draw which can be good if the race gets a little messy.

"I was fortunate enough to win on Mr Mac late last year and he won well at Bath. We weren't sure what happened last time, he didn't run a bad race and hopefully he will come back to that Kempton form."

Globetrotting Corinthia Knight back with winning opportunity

Also at Lingfield on Tuesday, all-weather specialist Corinthia Knight looks to return to winning ways in the competitive Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap (2.20).

The Archie Watson-trained three-year-old has won seven from 11 starts on artificial surfaces, including at this venue on all-weather finals day in April.

Having been campaigned in Canada and Sweden since, and after a midfield effort here last time, he looks to have been found an ideal opportunity to strike.

Watson said: "He ran a very good race in the Golden Rose Stakes. He's got a lot of speed so we think five furlongs would be his best trip. He is in good order and should run a nice race."

Captain Lars, who was a winner at this venue recently, also lines up for Watson.

He added: "They put him up 6lb for his win the other day. He's thriving, like he has been all year. He is in great order as well and we will see if he can hold his own in this company."

Expensive Copper makes rules debut

Following an impressive ten-length success on her only start in an Irish point-to-point, Copper Gone West was sold for £100,000 at the Cheltenham sales.

She missed last season but makes her racecourse debut in a competitive novice event (1.40) at Fakenham on Tuesday for Tim Vaughan and Alan Johns.

Vaughan said: "She is a lovely straightforward mare with a nice pedigree too. She won nicely on her only start and we hope she will end up as a really nice type.

"It is difficult to analyse her win but she does everything right at home. She had a niggle last season so she had to miss it and we thought it would be better to be safe than sorry."

The trainer added: "The track might be a bit sharp for her but I have been waiting for a sensible place to take her on sensible ground. She hasn't run in a good while but she is as fit as we can get her and we look forward to starting her."


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James StevensWest Country correspondent

Published on 3 December 2018inPreviews

Last updated 16:03, 3 December 2018

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