Rex Dingle hoping to cap landmark week on 'very likeable' Dashel Drasher

Matt Griffiths, the man who knows Dashel Drasher better than anyone else, is still playing a huge role in the horse's career from the sidelines – and his influence could be crucial as Rex Dingle aims to cap a landmark week at Lingfield's Winter Million meeting.

Dingle has stepped in to partner last season's Ascot Chase winner this campaign as Griffiths continues to recover from injuries suffered from a car accident in October.

His advice was praised as the Jeremy Scott-trained nine-year-old bounced back to form to make all in a Newbury handicap hurdle over Christmas, and now is taking aim at the valuable Fleur De Lys Chase (3.00) at Lingfield on Sunday.

Dingle hit a career century at Exeter earlier this week and success in the £150,000 feature would be another another big-race victory for his CV, which also includes the 2020 Martin Pipe courtesy of Indefatigable.

Matt Griffiths 'might sit on a horse' this weekend as he continues his recovery

The jockey, speaking at a Great British Racing press conference, said: "It was a nice milestone to reach and it's on to the next hopefully.

"I'm at a stage of my career where you need good horses to propel you to the next level and by unforeseen circumstances Dashel Drasher has come along.

"I speak to Matt quite regularly and he's very much involved with this horse, I spoke to him before and after Newbury and he knows him better than anyone. I make full use of Matt's thoughts on how I should ride him, and he's getting better so hopefully can ride him as soon as possible."

Joseph O'Brien has confirmed ante-post favourite Fakir D'oudairies will not take his chance, leaving Dashel Drasher near the head of the market.

Dashel Drasher: winner of the Ascot Chase last seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

He comes back over fences following that impressive Newbury win, and is defending a 2-2 record on heavy ground with Dingle optimistic for the hat-trick attempt.

"He's a very likeable horse and he's got a great following with the public," the jockey said. "He's laidback and loves being in front, even at home on the roads he'll march on. He always holds back at the business end and wears his heart on his sleeve so he's a great horse to be associated with.

"He's quite a fast horse on heavy ground, he's got a bit of pace on it. Whether he enjoys it is a different thing, but he's very effective on it when other horses struggle to get through it."

3.00 Lingfield Sunday: Fleur De Lys Chase racecard and entries

Scott, meanwhile, raised a minor concern about the distance. He has raced over the 2m6f trip once, finishing second to Champ on his chasing debut, but that came on good to soft ground and conditions will place more emphasis on his stamina.

The trainer, based in Somerset, said: "It's interesting, he has run over 2m6f before but not on that sort of ground. Lingfield is quite a unique test when it's like this, it's going to stretch our stamina.

"A lot of the others are more nearer three-milers than two-milers so we'll have to conserve a bit of energy but also make use of his pace and set times in the race."

Fleur De Lys Chase

Paddy Power: 11-4 Bristol De Mai, 4 Dashel Drasher, Fanion D'Estruval, 5 Waiting Patiently, 6 Master Tommytucker, 7 Itchy Feet, 10 Two For Gold, 12 bar

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