Lingfield Preview: Artemis hold all the aces

Artemis bounced back to form when runner-up last time out and holds outstanding claims of going one better in the 5f handicap at Lingfield today (2.50)

The Conrad Allen trained filly has just one win to her name, with that success coming in a class 6 contest at Kempton last January when sporting the hood for the first time.

The three-year-old travelled strongly throughout and after cruising into the lead a furlong from home scooted clear to beat Saffire Song by 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 52.

The daughter of Marju went on to finish a solid fourth off 65 in a class 5 contest at Kempton and is able to race in this lower grade class 6 affair off 53.

That is just 1lb higher than when last successful, and Artemis signalled that she was ready to cash-in on her falling mark when an excellent short-head second to Pharoh Jake over course and distance 12 days ago.

Artemis looked all over the winner until get chinned in the last stride, and off an unchanged mark a repeat of that effort should be good enough to see her get back on the scoresheet in what looks a very winnable contest.

In the 1m 4f handicap that closes the card (3.55), the lightly-raced Chauvelin looks the answer.

The Roger Charlton trained gelding has only had five starts, and after shaping with plenty of promise to finish fifth of 12 to the useful Persona Grata at Wolverhampton improved again to finish an eye-catching fifth of 10 to Taaresh on handicap debut at Kempton on his penultimate start.

The three-year-old kept on nicely from off the pace to be beaten 2 3/4 lengths without being knocked about, and Chauvelin backed that up with a solid third over course and distance 10 days ago in a race which wasn’t run to suit.

The selection raced wide in a slowly run contest and got outpaced two from home when the pace quickened before rallying strongly to go down by three lengths.

It was an effort which suggested Chauvelin was well up to winning a race of this nature off his current mark of 66, and he now gets the services of the very promising Tom Marquand in the saddle who is excellent value for his 5lb claim.

Another plus is that his handler has a near 36% strike rate at the track in the last 12 months, and everything suggests this is an excellent opportunity for Chauvelin to open his account.

Selections:
1.10: Sgt Reckless
1.45: Pharmaceutical
2.15: Bint Dandy
2.50: Artemis (NAP)
3.25: Sabre Rock
3.55: Chauvelin (NB)