All-Weather guru Simon Mapletoft previews 2:40 Lingfield 3yo Mile
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EMIRATES SKYCARGO: Rapidly progressive son of Iffraaj who easily won his maiden over C&D before making a mockery of a 16lb lower mark in a Chelmsford handicap last month; entitled to take his chance for top stable with conditions in his favour.
FOUR SEASONS: Stable companion of Emirates Skycargo whose three wins this winter include a Fast Track Qualifier over 7f at this track; ran well in Listed Spring Cup latest despite being unsuited by a slow early pace and likely to appreciate this step up to 1m.
LEXINGTON TIMES: Quickened up well to win a slowly run Listed Spring Cup over 7f here last month (Four Seasons behind); raised 10lb for that and entitled to sharpen up for it so obvious chance even though he has stamina to prove on his first try at 1m.
LOGORRHEIC: Lightly raced, potential improver who stepped up to 9.5f to win a Wolverhampton handicap despite racing keenly, leaving behind a disappointing effort at Chelmsford; beaten a long way on turf debut at Doncaster on Sunday and tough task at these weights, dropping back in trip.
TEMPUS TEMPORIS: Improved beyond recognition since blinkers went on, supplementing a 1m Kempton handicap win with a 5l victory over two non-stayers in a Fast Track Qualifier at Chelmsford; More to prove here after 16lb hike but could easily be good enough.
GROWING GLORY: Gritty French raider who won a Listed Fast Track Qualifier at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in February; disappointed when favourite for a similar race on good-soft at Saint-Cloud since and a suspicion she might just find this track too sharp.
LA DOROTEA: Placed in all four starts in maidens since making belated debut in January; one paced when beaten at Wolverhampton latest and flying too high here despite stable’s good form.
VERDICT: Godolphin holds a strong hand here and their progressive EMIRATES SKYCARGO can maintain his rapid progress over a trip he will relish. Proven around Lingfield, he must raise his game again to beat top rated Lexington Times on these terms but looks capable of bridging a questionable gap. The latter picked up best of all to win a muddling qualifier here last month but must prove his stamina on this first try at a mile in a race that should be run at a decent tempo.
