Chad Yeomans, PR Manager of Betway previews the Betway and Bombardier sponsored races at this years All-Weather Finals Day taking place on Friday 2nd April. Plenty of exciting racing coming up!
2pm - Betway All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes
A field of seven have been declared for the Betway All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes. Rainbow Dreamer has been the long-time market leader, however, there are several doubts over the eight year olds ability to hand such a tight track, such as Lingfield Park.
A good case could be made for Ranch Hand, who is trained by Betway ambassador Andrew Balding, who won this race in 2015 with Mymatechris. He won a qualifier at Chelmsford recently and on the best of his turf form, must have a major shout.
The rest of the field have run against each other without a horse who is seemingly the better of the group, a case must be made for the outsider Island Brave who has beaten Australis both times they have met and at the prices, represents good value. He wasn’t beaten too far in his prep run in the Betway Handicap at Newcastle and has a good record at Lingfield Park too.
Ranch Hand – Win
Island Brave – Each Way
3.10pm - Betway All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes
A maximum field of 12 have been declared for the Betway All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes.
The most intriguing runner is without doubt the Irish runner Harry’s Bar, trained by Ado McGuinness. Although he’s been beaten on his last two starts, including over a mile at Dundalk recently, it’s worth remembering that when formally trained by James Fanshaw in the UK, this horse is 2 from 2 at Lingfield Park. His victory over the 111 rated Speak In Colours at Dundalk in February reads very well and he could be a cut above his rivals in this open looking contest.
If the market speaks in favour of the Karl Burke trained Exalted Angel who won the Betway Kachy Stakes on his latest start over course and distance, then a big run could be expected.
At a bigger price, Tinto could also go well. He’s not had the rub of the green in three starts this calendar year, but on his best form is very capable and could run into a place.
Harry’s Bar – Win
Tinto – Each Way
4.15pm - Betway Easter Classic All-Weather Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes
The feature race of the day is the Betway Easter Classic, a race run over 1m2f. On ratings, Bangkok trained by Betway ambassador Andrew Balding, is the one they all have to beat. The five year old will be suited by a small field and although he was well beaten in Riyadh on his latest start, he was a very impressive winner of the Betway Winter Derby Trial over course and distance in February. He’s got a potent turn of foot and if the race turns into a sprint, he’ll be the one to benefit.
A mention must be made for Palavecino for the Brian Meehan yard. He was a very goo fourth in the Betway Quebec Stakes in December and has been freshened up for this since. He’s got plenty of pace and is a course winner at Lingfield Park, too.
Bangkok – Win
Palavecino – Each Way
4.45pm - Bombardier All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes
One of the most fascinating and competitive races of Finals Day is the Bombardier All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes.
Two horses have dominated the ante post market for the race in the shape of Khuzaam and Mums Tipple. The former is a very lightly raced five year old, but he was mightily impressive at Chelmsford on his recent prep run. Prior to that, he’d managed two good second placed finished at Kempton and Deauville, finished behind a very smart horse on each occasion. They seem to have a clear run with him of late, so he’s going to be very dangerous.
The other named horse, Mums Tipple has disappointed in five starts since bolting up in a sales race at York in August 2019, but showed a return to form, when only beaten less than two lengths in the Betway Kachy Stakes. Stepped up in trip to seven furlongs, he won the Bombardier Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton in mid-March in impressive fashion. He’s stepping back up to a mile for the first time since the 2000 Guineas last season, where he failed to beat a rival home.
Bless Himhas been running in Meydan this Winter and has been performing with great credit in Group Two races. He was second at Lingfield Park on his only ever run at the Surrey racecourse, but he is a strong travelling horse who will be switched off to come late under Jamie Spencer. He’s got solid place claims.
Khuzaam – Win
Bless Him – Each Way
5.15pm - Bombardier All-Weather Championships Apprentice Handicap
The final race of the meeting is the Apprentice Handicap. You don’t have to be eagle-eyed to spot that leading all-weather trainer Mick Appleby has booked Benoit De La Sayette – the most promising young rider in the weighing room – for the ride on Ayr Harbour. Ayr Harbour has won three of his last four starts and is clearly relishing life at present. He’s a course and distance winner and with the aid of De La Sayette’s 7lb claim, could be very tough to beat.
At a bigger price, the eight year old, Oh This Is Usis expected to go very well under Luke Catton. He’s a course winner – who actually won the Mile Championships race in 2019 - and has won over this distance and in recent runs at Lingfield, has gone very close, too. He had a mid-winter break, but came back with an encouraging four length defeat at Wolverhampton in March and that would have put him spot on for this.
Ayr Harbour – Win
Oh This Is Us – Each Way
