Thoughts on Good Friday Runners
Before we pitch in we hope you enjoy reading these previews – if you do, please can you make a contribution to vital fundraising that the Lambourn Open Day usually generates. Sadly this year it has had to be cancelled.
A busy day for the team as we chase the valuable prizes on offer on Good Friday. Lightly raced Siempre Arturo is first up in the 1:30pm at Lingfield, Al Rufaa and Andaleep go head to head in the 2.05pm there and Deceiver heads to Chelmsford for the 4.35pm.
Siempre Arturo
Siempre Arturo goes in the £45,000 mile and a half apprentice handicap with Brandon Wilkie taking the ride. Brandon looks a promising apprentice and has had a good winter. He has a decent draw in stall 6.
Siempre Arturo has made a good start to racing life winning two of his four starts including last time out on handicap debut. He won in the style of one that has more to come. This is a step up in class and the big field will make for a different kind of test compared to what he is used to. His homework suggest he has the ability to compete, it is just matter of if he has the experience.
This looks an open contest Optician comes here in rare form, but is perhaps going to be outclassed. The likes of Heathen and The Thunderer are dropping into a lower class than they’ve been taking on all winter. Furzig probably had a hard enough race last week but a repeat of that would put him in the mix.
Siempre Aruturo was bred by Vivienne O’Sullivan who races the gelding together with Crowd Racing. A really fun racing club with a range of very affordable membership options. He will be lead up Sammy Barnett who cares for him at home.
Al Rufaa
Al Rufaa runs in the £65,000 ten furlong handicap with Dylan Hogan on board. He has a good draw in stall 5. The stronger pace they go, the more this race is likely to suit him.
Al Rufaa showed he got the trip last time with an unlucky second, despite being free for much of the race.
Al Rufaa runs for Carter, Lofthouse and Capture the Moment. He will be led up by Jan Kasecky who cares for him at home and overseen by his regular rider, travelling manager Shaun Johnson.
Andaleep
Andaleep has Callum Hutchinson on in the ten furlong handicap. Callum was on board for his last two starts winning a valuable race at Southwell and picking up third in another valuable race at the same venue. Stall 8 looks like an ok draw. This is the first time he’s run at Lingfield.
Andaleep is as at home over ten furlongs, as he is over twelve and the likelihood that this could be strongly run shouldn’t be a disadvantage, given the sharp nature of the track. For all it, he is probably at his optimum in races that favour a turn of foot.
Asgrards Captain has been climibing through the ranks of late, but this is a different type of race, he’ll need to find another step up. The lightly raced Bystander has form that ties in with a few of these and if he steps up on that, he could be the one to beat. Youthful King warrants a lot of respect in terms of form, however he has a tough draw to overcome in stall 14.
Andaleep runs in the colours of James Finch. He will be led up Shannon Pasotti who rides and cares for him every day.
Deceiver
Deceiver runs in the mile handicap at Chelmsford, worth over £40,000. Rising star of the jockey ranks Billy Loughnane on board and this will be his first ride for the yard. Drawn out in 9 is a bit wider than ideal.
A pretty open looking race. If this was over seven furlongs, Billy Mill would be a big danger but the suspicion is that this trip just stretches his stamina. Two Tempting’s has got bits of form that make him a danger, if he’s ready to go on first run after a break.
Decevier runs in the colours of Oakmere Homes and was bred by Gary & Lesley Middlebrook. He will be led up by James Pulley who cares for him at home.
Lambourn Open Day – A Request
If you’ve enjoyed reading this, we have a small favour to ask. This year the Lambourn Open day has been cancelled. The Lambourn Open Day raises vital funds for local causes, principally the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust which ensures that there is affordable housing for those who work in the industry in the area. It also donates to the local school and sports club. Finally it contributes a significant sum to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance – a vital service when things go wrong for the people developing the horses you enjoy watching.
The silent auction has some fantastic prizes including a champagne breakfast and a morning on the gallops for up to six together with us here at Sarsen Farm. Alternatively please make a small donation here.