HEARTSTRING was looking to get into the frame for the first time and this time had Joe Fanning on board in the Ladbrokes Home Of The Odds Boost Nursery Handicap 5f, Class 5, £3,752.02 Going was Standard but after heavy overnight rain the surface had a firm look to it.
HEARTSTRING, was looking to improve in this her second novice handicap appearance, her first on the All Weather and Polytrack. Weather conditions: Cold, overcast with scattered showers Wind: moderate cross wind. Its a good 6 hours drive from Leyburn to Lingfield so Dale and Pradeep had traveled the evening before to allow HEARTSTRING plenty of time to recover.
HEARTSTRING was a little slow out of the stalls and never got back close to the leaders who were making the race at a good gallop.Turning into the final bend with a furlong and a half to go HEARSTRING was 5th and reasonably placed to make a challenge. However coming out of what is a sling-shot of a corner HEARTSTRING ran wide and lost position and became detached from the race. Joe rode her hard for half a furlong but found little, Joe was kind to her as she weakened in the final furlong. Overall she ran a disappointing race after her 62 day lay-off. We expected more but got less. She didn't look in the best shape in the parade ring and her coat was dull- always a sign that the horse is not in prime racing condition. Racing post mortem to be held with Ann in the morning at the stables to determine how we proceed with HEARTSTRING.It was a long drive back this evening!
RETICENT ANGEL sat off the pace before coming through with her challenge late in the piece. She's now won twice in this fashion over 5f and may improve again for a step up to six. SANDRIDGE LAD ran well in defeat. He was poorly drawn and four wide on the first turn before securing the lead running down the hill. He kicked again entering the straight and took some running down. He's been a bit inconsistent but the ability is there. SHINING, taken back out of a potential battle for the lead, had a decent tow into the race and had her chance down the outside. She continues to run well without winning. DANDY LAD, dropped in from the widest draw, appreciated the good gallop and outran his odds, picking off a few from the turn in down on the inside.KADIZ didn't improve for the switch to cheekpieces. GINVINCIBLE , back in the right grade, proved one-paced inside the last. LONDON ROCK virtually refused to race, but he had every right to as his blindfold was still on. Sean Levey explained to the stewards that the hood was stuck in the bridle, meaning it took several attempts to remove it..