ALL-WEATHER

CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE visiting French raiders dominated preceedings at a very wet Lingfield on All Weather Championships day with a fantastic treble over three of the better races.

For a long time in the Betway All-Weather Marathon it looked as if Joe Fanning, having dictated a very steady pace on Watersmeet, would prevail.

With a splendid record on artificial surfaces, the seven-year-old went clear rounding the final turn but was caught almost on the line by Lord George and Funny Kid, the latter coming with a tremendous run on the outside for Maxime Guyon to score on what would become a memorable afternoon for France. The distances were a nose and a neck.

Watersmeet had just pipped Funny Kid at Wolverhampton in January but the Frenchman was ridden closer to the pace on that occasion. This valuable contest, run very much in the French way, suited the 7/2 chance much better.

“The pace was not very fast but perfect for me because he has a good turn of foot,” Guyon said. “It was a great help to me that I rode here last year.”

The theory was that a steady gallop would suit Red Verdon, a Group 1 horse in his time and considered for the Melbourne Cup, but this first attempt at two miles saw him finish unplaced.

SPRINT

It was already a good afternoon for France but rich pickings continued when 8/1 chance City Light powered home in the Betway All-Weather Sprint.

Kachy was all the rage here at 11/8, many expecting him to dominate from the start. He missed the kick but soon recovered and hit the front as they ran to the home turn.

From then on he had every chance but City Light, impressive at Chantilly last time, came with an irresistible challenge on his outer and went away to score by a length and a half.

Last year’s winner Kimberella, on the drift at 8/1, finished an honourable third.

There were one or two disappointments, notably Gifted Master, who was mulish beforehand and never threatened after attracting good support in a market dominated by the top two.

This was a first success in Britain for the Wattel stable and also for up-and-coming jockey Theo Bachelot, who spent the winter in Qatar and is very highly regarded in his home country.

“He jumped well out of the stalls and I had a very good position behind the favourite Kachy when he came through to lead.

“City Light started off over a mile but he is very good over 1,200 metres,” Bachelot said.

MILE

In the Sunbets All Weather Mile victory went to Joel Boisnard’s 40/1 shot Lucky Team - another winner for France and for Theo Bachelot and this was another race where coming fast and late paid off.

Arcanada led but Second Thought soon loomed up as a danger with Captain Joy and Goring making a line of three close home.

They might have fought it out but Bachelot, with split-second timing, shot past all three and made it a truly wonderful day for the raiders.

Clearly best on artificial surfaces, Lucky Team’s form had dipped slightly at home but he was right back to his best here and there was no fluke about the result.