Classy Doyle on the mark at Lingfield
James Doyle enhanced his growing reputation with another fine piece of riding aboard Fusili in the race of the day at Lingfield.
Doyle and the Hayley Turner-ridden Direct Debit figured in a nail-biting finish to the Play Now At betdirectpoker.com Handicap, with the former emerging victorious by a head at odds of 7-2.
It looked as if Turner had won the one-mile-two-furlong contest when she switched inside in the closing stages but Doyle delivered his charge with a telling last-gasp thrust.
Sands Crooner, who was sixth in the Group Three Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot at York, won his third race for Newark trainer Derek Shaw in the Play Now At betdirectcasino.com Handicap.
The colt, sent off an 11-4 chance, got the better of Pauvic by half a length.
Shaw said: “He’s got a good cruising speed and they were not really going quick enough for him early on.”
Earlier on the card, Neil Chalmers stole a march on his rivals aboard the Lavinia Taylor-trained Monte Cristo to win the Guinness Draught “Brewed In Dublin” Apprentice Handicap.
Chalmers made his move two furlongs out in the two-mile contest and his decision was vindicated with a length-and-a-half success from the fast-finishing Reggae Rhythm.
“That was the gameplan and the jockey did it perfectly,” said Taylor, whose eight-year-old scored at odds of 17-2.
“Everyone thought he’d go in front from the off.”
William Carson, grandson of former top jockey Willie, received a two-day ban from the stewards for careless riding on 11-4 favourite Taxman in the opener.
Carson was deemed to have interfered with Nawow and will be stood down on March 17-18.
Steve Drowne encountered no such problems aboard the market leader in the Play EPT Events With littlewoodspoker.com Maiden Stakes as Piano Player duly obliged for Jamie Osbourne.
The 6-4 favourite got up in the dying strides to pip Ballybeg by a head, with Royal Tavira Girl three-quarters of a length back in third place.
Champagne Shadow set the corks popping by winning the Betdirect Freephone 0800 211 222 Claiming Stakes under an astute ride from George Baker.
The son of former Derby winner Kahyasi, sent off the 4-5 favourite, was galvanised on the bend and made up ground in the straight to beat Dagola by two and a half lengths.
“I would tell you about his troubles but I don’t think you would have enough time,” said trainer Gary Moore, who has now won this race for four consecutive years.
“All I can say is that he won’t go on grass because his legs wouldn’t stand it.”
Garstang (15-8f) won the second division of the littlewoodspools.co.uk Handicap with a length and a quarter in hand of Mine The Balance, while the David Elsworth-trained Aggravation (13-8) completed an excellent day for favourite-backers by taking the concluding betdirect.co.uk Handicap.
