Thoughts on Crius at Lingfield tomorrow

Crius runs in the 3.10 at Lingfield tomorrow (January 11th). Richard Kingscote maintains his partnership with Crius in the mile and a quarter handicap. Crius had a promising first start for us three weeks ago in a mile conditions race and settled nicely in a race that has worked out well. He was doing all his best work towards the end of the race and looked as if this extra distance would suit him well. He isn’t the easiest of rides and has thrown away plenty of races by being too keen and isn’t the most straightforward at home. Its a concern that there isn’t a huge amount of obvious pace to the race and those who might supply are drawn wide. While a steady pace mightn’t be too much of a problem a stop start gallop would not suit Crius.

There are plenty of contenders in this race. Tinshu goes very well over course and distance and has been plying her trade in pattern company without disgracing herself at all recently and has to be on any shortlist. Swing Alone has run some good races recently and is a course and distance winner in this grade. Well Painted has very patchy form, his recent second reads well in terms of this race and the jockey booking is eye-catching. True to Form probably isn’t quite where he was at a year ago but has been running well enough in a higher grade for new connections to suggest he shouldn’t be ignored at this level.

Richard Kingscote working Crius last Saturday