Bazroy lands Lingfield thriller
Racegoers braving the only British card beating the frost on Sunday at Lingfield were treated to an absolute thriller in the Play Coral Slots In Shop And Online Handicap.
Bazroy was a 16-1 shot and took a walk in the market from half the price as he had not won for some time but luck was on his side as Stephen Donohoe smuggled him into contention at the furlong pole.
Both Markab and Whistledownwind threw down determined challenges but Bazroy got there to finish a short-head and a head in front to allow trainer David Evans to take the lion’s share of the £25,000 (€29,000) prize back to Abergavenny.
“I’m surprised he drifted as I thought he would be hard to beat,” said Donohoe.
“He just needs a strong pace. I know him pretty well and he’s always game.”
Darryll Holland was banned for two days (December 21-22) for not riding out for sixth.
Tom Dascombe and Richard Kingscote dominated the rest of proceedings with a 47-1 treble.
The Game (5-2 favourite) bolted up by four lengths in the Coral Bet By Phone 0800 242 232 Handicap while Yellow Printer (6-4 favourite) not as obviously impressive but just as assured in the Watch Racing UK Live At coral.co.uk Maiden Stakes.
Saucy (9-2) completed the trick by slipping the field in division two of the Coral Play Blackjack In Shop Handicap,
“Three winners from three runners – you can’t get better than that. Unless you win four!” said Dascombe.
“We have taken our time with Yellow Printer as his head was a bit frazzled when we got him. I have always liked him and I’d say he’ll have a break now.”
“The handicapper is going to hammer The Game but he’s only had four runs for us and could be improving.
“The other filly just loves it around here.”
Ryan Moore timed it well on Grande Caiman in the Coral On Channel 4 Teletext Page 611 Handicap.
The 13-8 favourite has only once been beaten in six visits to the venue.
A few of the other winners were easier pickings for punters.
Certainly Thoughtsofstardom (7-2) made appeal back to the minimum trip following a spell over six in the Play Coral At coral.co.uk Apprentice Handicap.
Trainer Phil McEntee mused: “He’s in at Kempton on Wednesday without a penalty so he could go there.”
Can Can Star (7-2) followed up on his course-and-distance victory a fortnight ago in division one of the handicap while George Baker delivered Gay Kellway’s Star Strider (6-1) to perfection in the coral.co.uk Handicap.
