The fifth edition of the All Weather Championships takes place at Lingfield on Good Friday. There is a seven race card over a variety of trips and classes, with some good money on offer. We will have a look a little look at each race and see if we can find a winner or two and also some value bets.
The day kicks off with an Apprentice Handicap over seven furlongs. Master Speaker heads the betting having won his last two races at Dundalk. Having been running in Ireland it will be interesting to see how he gets on here and has already been well supported in the markets. Eljaddaaf has been in good form too also winning his last two races, the second of those at Lingfield so we know he will be comfortable on the track. Wahash won first time out this year at Lingfield for Richard Hannon, he is two from four on the all weather and both at the Surrey venue. He has top weight which makes things difficult but could run a nice race at 11/2. For me this isn't a race to get too invested in, but I will pick two each way looking for value with four places available. Wahash will be one, with stamina over a mile hopefully they go off quick and he stays on well at the end. The second chance is Gallipoli for Richard Fahey. After a nice comeback run at Newcastle in February he only carries 9-2 with Sebastian Woods taking off a further five pounds. Well drawn in stall 4 again around the 12/1 mark is worth a small stake each way.
Second up is the Marathon over two miles. French raider Funny Kid is one of the co favourites, he has form with Watersmeet at Wolverhampton in January. That rival is also co favourite and I can see him upholding that form. Mark Johnston has sent him out to win all three starts this year with one of those victories at Lingfield and course form is always something I rate as very important. Mountain Bell has a victory over Watersmeet last December and would have to enter calculations although not having run since then would be a slight concern. I will stick with the third co favourite and that is Red Verdon. He has won his last two with one at the track and hasn't been out of the first three on the all weather. Ed Dunlop's one time Derby runner has really solid form over a mile and a half and should he stay the extra half mile well, he could be too good for the rest.
At 2:30 we have the Fillies and Mares Championship over seven furlongs. Zest has winning course form and plenty of placed efforts too. Those are all mainly over a mile and I am not convinced stepping back in trip is going to help her chances. Diagnostic is three from five on all weather tracks but has never raced at Lingfield, however anything William Haggis runs has to be respected especially with James Doyle booked to ride. The winning combination from the Lincoln last weekend. Summer Icon should go well for Mick Channon. His horses are running well but this one has only two wins from fifteen on all weather. I will take a punt on Mia Tesoro for Charlie Fellows, he has solid all weather form on the track. His last four runs are all at Lingfield and include a third to recent Winter Derby winner Master the World. Andrea Atzeni is also an eye catching jockey booking, he must be each way value at 8/1.
Next up is the race for the speedsters, the Sprint Championship over 6 furlongs. Kachy is favourite after two wins this year both at the venue. He could be too quick for this field and go on to better things this year. He has mixed it with the best sprinters around and there might not be anything near that class here. Gifted Master will run his race and be thereabouts no doubt and Kimberella will be challenging to repeat his win in this last year but has been beaten by the favourite already this year. Intisaab would be the one to back if you are after some possible value at 9/1, but he too finished behind Kachy and Kimberella. Kachy is the selection as he could be the one to go on to bigger and better things this year.
The Three Year Old race goes off next again over the six furlongs. There are many in the field with last time out wins. Corinthia Knight has won all three starts this year and is six from eight on all weather courses. He sets a decent standard and is head of the market for in form trainer Archie Watson. Rock on Baileys is five from seven in his career on the all weather and is some value each way at 5/1, drawn in stall 2 I can see him running into the places. Desert Doctor has three wins this year and again the booking of Atzeni by Ed Walker looks an interesting move. Never Back Down is interesting given his previous runs, he won a fast track qualifier in December and third in that race is the short priced favourite for this race who has won three times since. In a tricky race I will take him at 5/1 over the 15/8 on offer for the Corinthia Knight who he has beat before.
The Mile looks a really good race. Second Thought is favourite for the Haggis and Doyle partnership again. He was the winner of the tree year old race last year and comes here on the back of two wins. He is short at 11/8 with threats a plenty, Arcanada has won three on the bounce and comes here in great form. His victory last time out at Wolverhampton had Mr Owen back in second, that rival was first past the post in the Winter Derby although lost the race and is currently third favourite for the Easter Classic. Goring has rattled up a four timer but would need to step up on that form again, and with the front two in the betting a year and two years younger they could have more improvement in them. Poor Spare Parts has to run in this as opposed to the earlier race he should be in and really has no chance. This is a real shame with all the good headlines and interest he has given the all weather this year. Second Thought deserves his favourites tag and unbeaten on the all weather he is going to be tough to crack. Arcanada will be my selection for this purely on the prices but I do think he has a good chance.
The finale is the Easter Classic over a mile and two furlongs. If Arcanada was to win the previous race that will only give more substance to Mr Owens' chances. He was first past the post in the Group 3 Winter Derby here in late February, however he lost the race in the stewards room having interfered with the fast finishing Master The World. Victory Bond is currently top of the market after winning a class 2 conditions race and finishing runner up in the listed Winter Derby Trial. Utmost has to be feared for John Gosden and Area Azteni, he was fancied for the Winter Derby going off second favourite, however he could only finish sixth. That he returns here would suggest connections still believe he has what it takes and will be having a small stake each way. My idea of the winner though is his conqueror in that Winter Derby Master The World. I thought he was the better horse in that race and would have won without the interference, he comes with warnings though as he can chuck in a stinker.
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