'Exciting' sprinter Charlie Fellowes takes first step towards Royal Ascot target

2.00 Lingfield
Get Your Ladbrokes Daily Odds Boost Handicap | 6f | 3yo | ITV4/Sky

Topweight Charlie Fellowes is another to have progressed thanks to the fitting of headgear, although in his case it was cheekpieces. The George Scott-trained runner was consistent, if not a touch frustrating, early in his career but has won all three outings since the equipment change by a combined margin of 18¼ lengths.

Charlie Fellowes won over 6f at Southwell last time. On those performances alone, it's hard to favour the latter-named runner, although straight comparison of Fibresand form doesn't always translate.

Secret Handsheikh ran his first furlong in 0.37sec faster than Charlie Fellowes (same rival, A Pint Of Bear, pushed the pace in each race) yet sustained his effort better than Charlie Fellowes, posting a final time 1.25sec faster.

Although he's receiving plenty of weight, Twilight Heir clearly has the most to prove. He's yet to race on the all-weather, has been off the track for 125 days and will make his first start as a gelding. He was also beaten half-a-length by Secret Handsheikh at Bath last July.

That leaves the unknown quantity, Water Of Leith, who clearly stays the trip well after a couple of last-gasp efforts at Wolverhampton in December.

He beat odds-on favourites on both occasions and a mark of 92 could prove lenient. Given he has a fast pace to chase, he'll be trading rather short in running if he's in the firing line turning in.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

George Scott, trainer of Charlie Fellowes
He seemed to thrive for racing last year. He was a bit unlucky at the beginning but has matured into an exciting three-year-old sprinter. He's pleased us in his work and we expect him to run well, but he'll improve on anything he does at Lingfield. We're working towards bigger targets for him later in the year, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Jim Goldie, trainer of Water Of Leith
He was gelded after his first run and it seems to have been the making of him. He's done very little wrong and hopefully we're just scratching the surface. He's improving all the time and we're aiming him at All-Weather Finals Day. It could be a tactical race but he's got a nice turn of foot.

Secret Handsheikh: in fine form at Southwell recentlyCredit: Pool

Michael Bell, trainer of Twilight Heir
I see he's fourth-best in the betting but I don't know why as the form of his last two races couldn't have worked out any better. He's ready to roll and goes there in good form.

Reporting by Jonathan Harding

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