'He goes well at the track and should have a decent chance' - analysis and key quotes for Lingfield's feature sprint

This Class 2 handicap over five furlongs has attracted an interesting field, with three talented three-year-olds heading the weights.

Kylian is the in-form contender and his ability at this level is not in doubt after a win and close second in the grade on his last two starts, while Sommelier also has some high-class efforts. He ran poorly last time, though, and will need to be quick to hold a position from stall one over this sharp five.

Of the older horses, The Thames Boatman returns to a course where he is three from three. He looked as though he had more wins in him when winning here two outings ago and should get the well-run race he needs.

Bedford Flyer is another with a good course record, two wins and two seconds from six starts here, but he has never won at this level in 19 attempts.

However, the answer to the puzzle might be Existent, who ran well last time under useful apprentice Jack Doughty. He has two wins and three seconds from only 11 rides for Stuart Williams and, although it's been a long time since Existent's last win, he is off his lowest mark. He could swoop late.
Analysis by Gary Savage

What they say

Roger Teal, trainer of Rosario
He picked up a bit of an injury after his last run at Ascot [in May], which is why he's been off for a while. It's a sharp five round there and he'll come on for the run, but you wouldn't write him off if his fitness holds out. He ran there the time before over six furlongs but was a bit naughty in the stalls and didn't get the best of breaks, and his race was gone at the start. He ran a solid race at Ascot after that when the Breeders' Cup winner [Starlust] was behind him.

Marco Botti, trainer of Sommelier
He's come out of his last race well. Everything went against him at Kempton when he was never able to get in from a wide draw. It didn't happen for him and it wasn't his performance. Before that, he ran well over five furlongs at Newcastle. The top weight [Rosario] is a nice horse who hasn't run for a while, but he should be there with a decent chance. We've got a good draw, he's got the cheekpieces back on and, although it's a sharp five furlongs, he's shown he's quite fast from the gates.

Mick Appleby, trainer of Bedford Flyer
He ran very well last time and seems to be coming back to form. He's got a decent enough draw, he goes well at the track and should have a decent chance.

Richard Hughes, trainer of The Thames Boatman
He's good round there but he won by a neck on his penultimate start there and has gone up another three pounds. The faster they go, the better for him. He'll need everything to fall right, but he's in great form.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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