Croon blow for Cumani
Croon dealt former trainer Luca Cumani a cruel blow when denying the Newmarket handler’s Mandatum in the Arena Leisure plc Handicap at Lingfield.
The four-year-old, sent off at 5-1, changed stables over the winter and got off the mark at the second time of asking for Hughie Morison when leading over a furlong out and holding Mandatum by three-quarters of a length.
Morrison was represented by his pupil-assistant Edward Sackville, son of Croon’s owner Lord de La Warr, who said: “It was all done for a change of scenery and it has worked out. He was as good as gold here.”
Mystic Storm came home like a hurricane to reward his supporters in the Marsh Green Handicap.
The gelding, trained by Lady Herries and ridden by Seb Sanders, showed a powerful turn of foot to sweep into the lead two and a half furlongs out and put the result way beyond doubt.
The 9-4 favourite eventually won by a cosy four lengths despite being unextended.
Lisathedaddy relished the step up in trip in the mile-and-a-quarter Edenbridge Handicap to win nicely under George Baker for Brendan Powell.
Always travelling well, the filly went to the head of affairs below the distance to win readily at 11-2 by two lengths and four from Scutch Mill and Santando.
Powell said: “That was fine considering it was only her fourth run and she had performed well in her maidens. She could be a filly to look forward to.”
Going Straight did just that in the opening Trackside Restaurant Maiden Auction Fillies’ Stakes when scoring for jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Ian Wood.
The 5-1 winner was always handy and led in the straight to come home by three-quarters of a length from Sans Reward, despite her rider putting up 1lb overweight.
Wood said: “She will be kept t the fast tracks and could go for a conditions race at Ascot on Saturday. Nurseries will be her future.”
Bridge It Jo was sent off the 100-30 favourite for the five-furlong race and cut out the early running, but weakened in the closing stages and faded into fourth.
Those who supported Always Esteemed, the 8-11 favourite in the Arena Leisure plc Claiming Stakes, soon knew their fate as he did not live up to his billing and finished out of the frame.
The seven-furlong event went to Labelled With Love, trained by Jim Boyle and partnered by Frankie Dettori, who rode a cool race to score by a length and a half at 10-1 from Mon Petite Amour (20-1).
Boyle said: “He has been the perfect racing club horse and it was nice to see him bow out like this.
“They have had him for two years which is their contracted limit and we will be sorry to see him go.
“Frankie saw the others went very quick and came off the gallop to get the upper hand.”
Dettori was foiled for a quick double in the Oxted Veterinary Clinic Handicap when Easy Air (even money favourite) found Orchard Supreme (11-2) and Richard Hughes a head too strong.
Loving the Polytrack where he has been triumphant before, the Richard Hannon-trained winner came there with all guns blazing to stamp his authority.
Richard Hannon junior, representing his father, said: “Richard got the jump from the stalls just right then battled with the favourite to get him beat. Ours is better here than elsewhere and deserved that.”
It was job done when The Jobber (15-2) took the closing five-furlong lingfield-racecourse.co.uk Handicap.
Most of the field set off at a near suicidal pace before a patient Ted Durcan led 150 yards from the post to win by three-quarters of a length from Financial Times.
