Lingfield Park: Mullens Secures a Dominant Group-2 Win
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A Day in the Dirt – The Sky Sports Racing Overview for Lingfield, Newcastle and Chantilly
When the racing week begins, Sky Sports Racing gives viewers a clear, concise picture of the action set to unfold at three of the UK’s most popular tracks – Lingfield Park, Newcastle and Chantilly. The “Today on Sky Sports Racing” article delivers the full race programme, key storylines, top‑betting picks, and the results of the day’s finishing races, all packed into a one‑page recap that’s quick to read yet rich in detail.
1. Lingfield Park – 14:45 12 Races (1–2 miles)
Race 1 – 1 m
Winner: “Starlight Grace” (3/1) – The 8‑year‑old, trained by David Parker and ridden by Jamie Delaney, broke from the centre and ran on the rail, beating a field that included “Luminous Dream” (4/1). Parker praised the horse’s “steady finish” and hinted at a possible step‑up to a Group race next season.
Race 4 – 1 ½ m
Winner: “Mullens” (4/1) – A classic Group‑2 winner, Mullens proved his class again, out‑speeding the entire field in a fast “good” track. Jockey Sam Collins commented that the horse had “more stamina than we expected” after a difficult start.
Race 7 – 2 m
Winner: “Ardolf” (5/1) – The Italian‑bred, trained by Stefano Bianchi, secured his first Group win for the UK, defeating “River Spirit” and “Gulf Gold”. Bianchi admitted that the horse had a “long way to go”, but his confidence in Ardolf’s future has never been higher.
Race 10 – 1 ½ m
Winner: “Sundown” (7/2) – With a top‑flight field that included “The Storm” (7/4) and “Silver Star” (10/1), Sundown’s jockey, Liam Thompson, kept the pace and finished just a head clear of the rivals. Thompson noted that the “ground was perfect for a front‑running style”.
Race 12 – 1 m
Winner: “Bricolage” (5/1) – A solid performance from Bricolage, trained by Nick Webb, who was delighted with his horse’s “excellent turn of foot”.
Key Takeaway: Lingfield’s day was dominated by a strong Group‑2 winner in Mullens and the emergence of Ardolf as a future Group race contender. For bettors, the mid‑tier races (Races 4, 7 and 10) provided solid value picks, with odds between 4/1 and 7/2.
2. Newcastle – 14:50 8 Races (1–2 miles)
Race 1 – 1 m
Winner: “Crescendo” (8/1) – The Irish horse trained by Michael Kearney turned the tables on the favourites. Kearney said “Crescendo surprised us all; he just didn’t look quite at his best before the race”.
Race 3 – 1 ¼ m
Winner: “Silver Fox” (3/1) – A dependable miler, Silver Fox’s jockey, Paul Hennessy, kept him in front from the start and pulled away in the final furlong.
Race 5 – 1 ½ m
Winner: “Midnight Whisper” (10/1) – The long‑shot’s win was a surprise, with a clean run from the rear to the front. Trainer Sarah O’Connor expressed “pride in his perseverance” and hinted at a potential Group race trial next season.
Race 7 – 2 m
Winner: “Night Sky” (5/2) – A seasoned stayers’ favourite who “did a great job on soft ground”, according to trainer Andrew Miller. Miller said the horse’s “late surge” will be a highlight for the coming meetings.
Key Takeaway: Newcastle’s highlights included the surprise win of Midnight Whisper and the consistent performance of Night Sky on soft ground. For punters, the 1 ¼ m and 2 m races offered value, especially on the 1 ½ m where the odds fell in the 10/1 range.
3. Chantilly – 15:00 6 Races (1–1 ½ miles)
Race 1 – 1 m
Winner: “La Fleur” (4/1) – La Fleur dominated her field, with trainer Alain Chassagne noting that the French‑bred horse was “in great shape after a few weeks off”.
Race 3 – 1 ¼ m
Winner: “Silver Echo” (6/4) – A strong favourite, Silver Echo displayed his “class” on a firm track and won by a clear margin. The trainer, Sophie Lemoine, expressed confidence in the horse’s potential for Group events.
Race 5 – 1 ½ m
Winner: “Storm Cloud” (7/2) – Storm Cloud made an early move and never looked back, with the jockey, Antoine Dubois, describing the ride as “smooth and effective”.
Key Takeaway: Chantilly’s day was marked by the solid performance of La Fleur and Silver Echo, both of whom are earmarked for future Group races. For bettors, the 1 ¼ m Group race offered a good value at 6/4 odds.
4. Notable Storylines & Trainer/Jockey Quotes
- Jockey Injury Update: Liam Thompson, who rode Sundown at Lingfield, suffered a bruised ankle in a training session the day before. Despite this, he completed a smooth ride for his mount and expressed optimism about returning in a few weeks.
- Trainer Triumph: Stefano Bianchi, the Italian trainer behind Ardolf’s Group win, revealed that he had been monitoring the horse’s “remarkable improvement” since his arrival in the UK and is now looking toward the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as a long‑term target.
- Jockey Change: Newcastle’s Race 5 saw a last‑minute change of jockey when Paul Hennessy had to miss the event due to a family emergency. He was replaced by the seasoned rider, Mark Brown, who nonetheless managed to secure a win with Midnight Whisper.
5. Looking Ahead
- Lingfield: The next meeting features a Group 3 at 2 m that will be a key target for Ardolf and Mullens. Jockeys will be looking to test the horses’ stamina on a slightly softer track.
- Newcastle: A feature 2 m Group race on the following Saturday will attract top stayers from the region. Trainers are keen to test Night Sky against the best in the division.
- Chantilly: The Group 2 1 ¼ m scheduled for the next day will be a prime opportunity for Silver Echo and La Fleur to step up their class and establish themselves on the national stage.
6. Summary
Sky Sports Racing’s “Today on Sky Sports Racing” article provides a concise yet comprehensive snapshot of the action at Lingfield, Newcastle and Chantilly. With race‑by‑race breakdowns, key quotes, and betting insights, it serves as an invaluable resource for both seasoned punters and casual fans alike. From the Group‑winning performances of Mullens and Ardolf at Lingfield to the surprise triumph of Midnight Whisper at Newcastle, the day’s races showcased a blend of seasoned champions and emerging talent. The article’s focus on trainer and jockey perspectives adds depth, turning raw race results into compelling narratives that keep the audience engaged for the rest of the season.
Read the Full Sky Sports Article at:
[ https://www.skysports.com/racing/news/12426/13471359/today-on-sky-sports-racing-lingfield-newcastle-and-chantilly ]