Conquistador strikes but Stuart Williams again denied chance to see new recruit

El Conquistador lit up a wet and gloomy afternoon in Surrey when landing a gamble in the opener for Stuart Williams who has yet to even see his recent signing run due to a variety of Covid-19 reasons.

The Newmarket trainer said: "I was struck down with Covid-19 when he won for us first time and I would have been there today but for having to drive to the evening meeting at Kempton as you can't attend two meetings on the same day due to coronavirus restrictions."

Usually a stall 13 draw over 1m2f is a big hurdle to overcome at Lingfield as the first bend comes quick enough, but you would not have known it judging by the way El Conquistador won going away under Rossa Ryan.

The well-backed 6-5 shot maintained his unbeaten record for Williams following a course-and-distance win at the track last month.

Ryan said: "He's a breeze-up horse so I was told not to rev him up too much early doors. The draw was the problem but we got a lovely run through after I dropped him in."

The start to the race was messy and resulted in bans for Luke Morris (four days, March 17-20) and Tom Queally (March 17-18).

Camus gets up late

It is very apt that Albert Camus had his mind on other things before winning the 1m2f handicap as he is named after a French philosopher who once won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

However, the only page winning trainer John Gosden will need after the son of Teofilo got up to shade Swinton Moon is the one in the programme book for races over a mile and a half.

Rab Havlin: got up late aboard Albert CamusCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

In a first-time hood, the 7-4 favourite looked booked for last until Rab Havlin launched him wide and late to score at the fourth attempt.

Havlin said: "Albert Camus was backing off horses in front of him so I opted to come around them in the straight. He'll do better over further I would imagine."

Crehan on march

Promising apprentice Mark Crehan enjoyed his first double which kicked off on spare ride Shaqeeqa in division two of the 7f maiden after Ray Dawson was injured at Newcastle on Tuesday evening.

The 5lb claimer was recently snapped up by Newmarket trainer George Boughey and it was easy to see why after he gave the 100-30 chance a polished ride for David Loughnane.

George Boughey: picked up the services of 5lb claimer Mark Crehan

The 22-year-old said: "I joined George three weeks ago after he rang Mr Hannon and asked if I was available. I handed in my notice and here I am."

He completed his double in the closing 7f apprentice handicap on the Boughey-trained Everkyllachy

Concert plan

Lingfield is still planning to go ahead with two post-racing concerts this summer despite concerns about when crowds of sufficient size to make it viable are allowed to attend.

George Hill, clerk of the course at the track, said: "At the moment I believe tickets to see Jess Glynne in August and Rick Astley the following month are going well.

"It depends on if people want to mingle by then but we have capacity here for 10,000 if they do."

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