Richard Hannon: “He’s probably our best chance of a winner at Lingfield”

LINGFIELD – GOOD FRIDAY

2:35 Champions Fillies’ and Mares’

Arafi (Sean Levey)

She’s always been a filly we’ve liked and to be honest I don’t think she quite stays a mile so the drop back down to 7 furlongs is an obvious plus and she arrives here in great form. On ratings she has to improve a little bit but she’s still relatively unexposed and I don’t think stall six will be a problem in a field of this size.

4:45 Champions Mile

Mums Tipple (Sean Levey)

It was a long time between drinks but he finally got his head back in front at Wolverhampton last time when he really saw the 7 furlongs out well which gives me confidence stepping back up to a mile for the first time since running in the 2000 Guineas last May. That victory will have done his confidence a lot of good and he’s probably our best chance of a winner on the day.

5:15 Apprentice Handicap

Oh This Is Us (Luke Catton)

He won the Mile race round here a couple of years ago so absolutely loves the track and he wasn’t beaten all that far on his return at Wolverhampton last time when he would’ve badly needed it because as he gets older he’s taking a little bit more work to get fit. He’s always been a very talented horse on the All-Weather (and turf) and on his very best form there is no reason to suggest he can’t go close.

Magical Wish (Thore Hammer-Hansen)

He’s a very tough horse with a great attitude and I haven’t got too many worries from a fitness point of view because his work has been good and he won first time out last season. This is a competitive race and he’s plenty high enough in the weights but he’s got good form around here, having won over course and distance, and I expected him to go well.