Racecards
13:40 Lingfield Park
Bet African Nations Cup - Betdaq Maiden Stakes (Class 5)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- £3,600 added
- Form 828234-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer J Akehurst
- Jockey J-P Guillambert
pulled hard, led after 1f, hard driven over 2f out, held on gamely
- Form 4-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey L P Keniry
held up mid-division, hard driven 2f out, ran on final furlong, never trouble leaders
Monterosso
63- Form 5-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
led 1f, remained prominent, driven to challenge 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with winner
- Form 87-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon one pace
- Form 0-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
slowly away, always behind
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Trainer P S McEntee
- Jockey David Probert
slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous
- Form 88372-2
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer Stef Higgins
- Jockey Hayley Turner
tracked leaders, hard ridden to challenge well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Mary's Pet
12- Form 5
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Trainer J Akehurst
- Jockey S Whitworth
held up towards rear, never a factor
In depth
Verdict
Mark Johnston and Joe Fanning teamed up to win this race last year and they could do so again with MONTEROSSO who's suggested ahead of Fivefold and Noble Jack. That pair share the highest official rating but Gary Moore's runner is having his first start for the yard and his first outing since October 2008. Fitness is unlikely to be an issue and confidence behind him would be encouraging. Fivefold has been in action more recently and should appreciate the return to maiden company although he has been found a relatively strong race for the time of year. Darshonin is tried in a visor having failed to build on his debut but this well related individual has been highly tried and may prove capable of better. Like the selection, Oceans Edge and Minortransgression have shown ability on their sole visits to the racecourse but nominal preference is for Monterosso. The Johnston string are carrying all before them at present and this son of Dubawi showed enough in what appeared to be an above average maiden at Wolverhampton to believe that Monterosso can land a race of this nature.
Formwatch
Darshonin 100-1 (9-3) Raced stands side, always behind, tailed off, last of 22, 50l behind Oasis Dancer (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) gf in Oct.
Fivefold (USA) 11-2 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 7, 1l behind Danger Mulally (8-6) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Minortransgression (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Went right start, in rear, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 6, 5l behind Kai Mook (8-8) at Lingfield 7f 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Dec.
Monterosso 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 9l behind Bronze Prince (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Purple Gallery (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, not much room on inside and lost place over 2f out, hampered 1f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 10l behind Licence To Till (9-0) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) std in Dec.
Southern Breeze 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 10, 24l behind Bramshaw (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Ceto Tobougg filly out of Natural Grace.
Freddie's Girl (USA) 9-4 (8-8) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, kept on, headed post, 2nd of 7, ns behind Ambrogina (8-8) at Southwell 6f mdn fll (5) fbs.
Mary's Pet 16-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Avenuesnalleyways (9-3) at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Noble Jack (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Behind, steady headway from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not threatened leaders, 5th of 13, 4l behind Axel Foley (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct '08.
Oceans Edge 20-1 (9-13) Slowly in to stride, held up, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Tiradito (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Merals Choice 8-1 (8-6) Held up, driven along over 2f out, some headway final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Best Trip (8-11) at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol.