Racecards
15:00 Lingfield Park
Race Ahead With Zena At Pontin's Maiden Stakes (Class 5)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- £3,600 added
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M Wallace
- Jockey P Cosgrave
started very slowly, always outpaced in rear, never a factor
- Form 440-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on one pace
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
dwelt, in touch, hung right and wide bend 2f out, ran on to press winner inside final furlong, every chance, just held close home
Spic 'n Span
42- Form 38520-U
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 74
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Young Ivanhoe
110- Form 832-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer C A Dwyer
- Jockey A McCarthy
took keen hold, tracked leader, led over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, always just held close home
Breathe
144- Form 80-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer R T Phillips
- Jockey S J Drowne
always towards rear, never dangerous final 2f
- Form 8-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
started slowly, mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, not trouble first 2
- Form 73
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey S Sanders
started slowly, behind, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
In depth
Verdict
A tough one to call without reference to the market and we side with Young Ivanhoe against Big Boom and Opus Maximus. Young Ivanhoe shaped with a modicum of promise during three starts as a juvenile and it is certainly interesting that his new trainer has elected to take in this engagement rather than the handicaps that he is qualified for. Granted nominal improvement, he sets a difficult standard to beat. Big Boom is related to a number of smart five furlong specialists. The market is watched accordingly. Opus Maximus has had the unkindest cut of all prior to arriving at the track. It will be interesting to see if Jim McGrath is at the track to watch his charge. Breathe was sold out of Dermot Weld's stable after two unsuccessful starts and is now trained by Richard Phillips. Fly in Johnny is bred to be better over further although anything of Richard Hannon's at this level warrants more than just a cursory glance. The market should offer plenty of pointers and we are with Young Ivanhoe.
Formwatch
Big Boom Cadeaux Genereux gelding, half-brother to winning sprinter Oro Verde.
Fly In Johnny (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 12th of 16, 16l behind Masada (8-12) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Opus Maximus (IRE) Titus Livius gelding, brother to winning sprinter Latin Review, half-brother to 6f-1m winner Layazaal.
Spic 'n Span 33-1 (9-3) Reared start and unseated rider in race won by Only A Game (9-1) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Jan, 7 ran.
Young Ivanhoe 3-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final 2f, edged right headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Easy Wonder (8-7) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov.
Breathe 5-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, 11l behind Lime Tree Valley (9-3) at Dundalk 6f mdn aut stk std in Oct.
Firespin (USA) 14-1 (8-7) Started slowly, held up, took keen hold, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 31l behind Miss Phoebe (8-6) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Martha (IRE) 11-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, keen, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Judge 'n Jury (9-8) at Lingfield 5f mdn stk (5) pol.