Enoch bids for a second success at Lingfield
John and Thady Gosden’s juvenile Enoch is set to make a quick return at Lingfield as part of a busy midweek programme that also features cards from Ffos Las, Newton Abbot and Southwell. The son of Frankel landed a debut victory at Newmarket in September and reappears in the Download The At The Races App Novice Stakes under William Buick, an interesting engagement for connections aiming to build on that promising start.
Enoch’s Newmarket success marked him out as one to watch among the younger brigade, and he faces a field containing Andrew Balding’s Black Chiffon, who arrives on a rating of 85 having won on debut at Salisbury and finished fourth at Kempton. Rob Horny takes the mount on Black Chiffon, who brings a degree of experience and fitness to the contest. Colonnade, with two creditable runs to his name, is another runner who could figure in the placing battle.
Ffos Las and the youngsters
At Ffos Las the BNI Elli Maiden Stakes looks to be headed by Blue Hercules, an 86-rated youngster trained by William Muir and Chris Grassick. Despite six runs without success, he has shown ability and carries the experienced claim of Lewis Edmunds. The formbook is varied: Neswick, third on debut in April, has returned from a break and ran fourth at Lingfield this month; Phantom Recon represents George Scott; and Emmet Mullins saddles Winday with Rossa Ryan engaged.
Newton Abbot’s staying chases and a run of form
Newton Abbot stages an intriguing renewal of the MD Elite Cleaning Handicap Chase in which Gore Point seeks to extend an ongoing winning sequence. Trained by Anthony Honeyball, the six-year-old has won his last four starts, three of those over the same course and distance, and steps up in class as he looks for a fifth successive success.
Paul Nicholls’s Centara, a previous winner of this race, has slipped to a more attractive mark after a difficult spell this season. Breaking Cover, who defeated Centara over the course and distance last summer, remains on the radar, while last-time scorer Gower Prince and the consistent Obsessedwithyou — who has finished in the first two across seven recent outings — complete a competitive shortlist.
Southwell and the supporting cards
Southwell’s evening card includes a number of items of interest. An 800,000gns yearling named Night Of Gold is scheduled to make his racecourse debut for connections associated with Bow Echo, and Market Leader runs for Wathnan; both entries underline the depth of ownership and investment evident in the juvenile ranks. Earlier on the card, Dublin Bay looks well placed in a useful handicap while other races feature horses stepping back from summer campaigns.
Notes from the day
- Lingfield’s juvenile novice shapes as a useful test for early-season prospects and will be watched closely by those tracking potential festival contenders.
- Blue Hercules’s recent Ascot appearance is a reminder that midweek pattern and maiden races can include horses with experience on bigger stages.
- Newton Abbot’s chase card highlights a cluster of in-form performers such as Gore Point, whose local record is notable, and familiar fences specialists including Centara and Breaking Cover.
With live coverage across several tracks, the day offers a mix of emerging talent and proven performers. The novice events at Lingfield and Ffos Las give juveniles chances to make early impressions, while the jumping contests at Newton Abbot present opportunities for established handicappers to press their claims ahead of the autumn jumps season.
