Light Burst at Lingfield....................................................................................

Light Burst – Lingfield

This race was originally earmarked for Brighton. The plan being that Light Burst was going to have his next few runs on the turf after his win at Southwell. We are forced to come here because it fits in with a race plan geared towards Royal Ascot.

My main worry about the switch was that it would be a much better race - not many fancy Brighton – but the race has in fact cut up. It was pleasing that Noseda decided to take Noctum to Windsor on Monday. The surface won’t be a worry and his handicap mark is fine for a progressing horse.

When Light Burst won at Southwell he was short of work and saw plenty of daylight. Today, with at least three front runners, the plan is to get cover and attack from the furlong pole. The horse is a strong traveller but lengthens rather than quickens.

Tom Brown is a massive bonus and his claim extremely handy. Light Burst has already run well in this grade, finishing third at Wolverhampton after a break, and the race is chock full of horses dropping in class after disappointing.

Main danger, for me, is Johnno. He is drawn to attack from stall one and he was a progressive handicapper last season in this class. He has been gelded since his last race, but he has been absent since August and there are other front runners to unsettle.

If Light Burst wins here he will go to Doncaster (he will have to win there as well) in three weeks time before hopefully a crack at the Wokingham at Royal Ascot. We have an excellent chance  in a race that could have had more depth.