“He’s really well. I just hope it’s on,” was the word from William Haggas as he contemplated the chance of his Headway (3.30) in Lingfield’s Spring Cup on Satuday. In glorious sunshine at long-ago Royal Ascot, Headway was beaten just a head in the Coventry and has since run third in the Gimcrack.
There is reason to hope for better this year and Haggas is aiming at the Jersey Stakes, perhaps via the German Guineas. If Headway is to justify those ambitions, a big effort is needed against beatable rivals on a surface that ought to suit. The trainer is happy with his preparation and praised the Jockey Club’s heathmen who have kept Newmarket’s gallops functioning through the bad weather.
“They’ve been magnificent,” Haggas said. “They’ve been up early, every morning, gritting and sanding and making it safe for the horses. All the tracks bar one have been in full use by everyone. The only thing we haven’t done is any fast work because the wind has been so awful.”
1.45 Lingfield Unlucky at the start last time, Chevallier had won his previous two at this track.
2.20 Lingfield Olly Murphy is in flying form and it would hardly shock if he got the necessary improvement from Yensir.
2.55 Lingfield Back on song since joining Charlie Wallis, George Dryden is well in on old form.
Chelmsford 5.45 Kodiac Express 6.15 Jellmood 6.45 Ocean Of Love 7.15 Major Valentine 7.45 Rock On Baileys (nb) 8.15 Desert Fox 8.45 Just Fred
Lingfield 1.45 Chevallier 2.20 Yensir 2.55 George Dryden 3.30 Headway 4.00 Blastofmagic 4.35 Noteworthy 5.10 Author's Dream (nap)
Newcastle 2.05 Bournville 2.40 Ballycrystal 3.15 Ahead Of The Curve 3.50 Forest Bihan 4.20 Golden Jeffrey 4.55 Ballyvic Boru 5.30 Stipulate
