LINGFIELD

JOHN Gosden has a real winter star on his hands in Wissahickon, who won the Cambridgeshire as a lightly-raced three-year-old last year and looks different class to his rivals on the all-weather.

Successful in the trial race at Lingfield, he won the actual Group 3 Winter Derby just as easily on Saturday, starting at 1/4 and cruising home for Frankie Dettori. Briefly pushed along to master stable companion Court House, he was in front before the furlong pole and went away to score by over three lengths. The big races on the all-weather tracks carry attractive prize-money these days and, while it will not make a great deal of difference to owner George Strawbridge, it is worth mentioning that the Winter Derby was worth well over £50,000.

“We could come back for the Easter Classic but there’s also talk about World Cup night in Dubai; we have to wait for the invitation!” Gosden said. “If Wissahickon did go, I think it would have to be the Sheema Classic.”

Vision clear winner

FONTWELL Park staged one of its most valuable races on Sunday, victory in the Grade 2 NetBet Casino National Spirit Hurdle going to Colin Tizzard’s Vision Des Flos in the hands of Tom Scudamore. The 7/2 chance readily held 13/8 favourite If The Cap Fits and may well go on to Cheltenham. “He’s still in the Champion Hurdle and the Coral Cup but I think, on that showing, it will be the handicap,” the trainer said. Bookmakers cut Vision Des Flos to a general 14/1.

Manekineko back winning again

KILDARE trainer Stephen Hanlon completed a successful raid on Wolverhampton when Our Manekineko won for the first time in two years and for the first time away from Dundalk. The nine-year-old, sent off at 14/1, was held up by rider David Probert, and came through with a nice run to collar Final Attack inside the final furlong.

It was business as usual for Gordon Elliott up at Ayr on the same day, where Western Honour (4/6) rewarded favourite backers with a comfortable success in a novice hurdle. Richard Johnson teamed up with Elliott again for the success but the pair were out of luck in the following races with two seconds – Westland Row and Three Kings, who went down by just a short head. There was also a close call for Evanna McCutcheon who sent over Our Jerry. Ridden by Westmeath jockey Eamonn Corbett, the nine-year-old, a 14/1 shot, finished seven-length second to Christmas In USA.

Johnson OBE

RICHARD Johnson took a rare day off from racing on Tuesday to receive an OBE honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The hugely popular jockey rode his 3500th winner last September and is set to win his fourth Champion jockey title this season.