Graham Lee, who was top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival three years ago, will miss next week's meeting as he continues to recover from injury. The jockey has been out of action since fracturing his jaw in two places when kicked following a fall at Huntingdon in early February. Following surgery it had initially been hoped Lee would be back in the saddle for the Festival but his agent Richard Hale confirmed today: "He's fine really but he won't be back for Cheltenham. He won't be allowed to ride there and that's just the way it is. He's consulted with Dr (Michael) Turner (the British Horseracing Authority's medical adviser) and is hoping to be back for Easter Saturday. That's the earliest he's likely to be back but no firm dates have been set as yet."
The all-weather at Lingfield provides the best bet today in the shape of William Blake (5.10). Though it was on the slower Fibresand surace that he won his only race to date, there is no reason why Mark Johnston's colt should be less effective here. He could be well handicapped.
Master Alf (4.00) is worth a small interest on his handicap debut over fences at Fontwell. A winning point-to-pointer, he had no chance against Verasi in a novice chase at Plumpton last time but was only beaten 10 lengths. This is a more realistic target.
