Lingfield preview: The Steward holds solid claims

David Metcalf | January 8, 2016

The Steward looks decent value to land the 1m 4f Coral Handicap at Lingfield today (14.45) now refitted with the cheekpieces.

Sir Mark Prescott’s gelding has a progressive profile and has won two of his nine starts and been placed on four other occasions.

In the last of those successes at Kempton, The Steward only had to be ridden out with hands and heels to readily beat Revision by 1 1/2 lengths when fitted with the cheekpieces for the first time.

The four-year-old backed that up with a solid third at Wolverhampton, before shaping better than the final finishing position suggests last time out over course and distance when a five length fifth of nine to Barye when connections swapped the cheekpieces for the blinkers.

The Steward attempted to make all and only weakened late on after getting headed approaching the final furlong.

To me he got too lit up in the blinkers, and with the cheekpieces which clearly suit now back on, can take advantage of a 6lb pull in the weights to turn the tables with Barye.

Expect a flow of bets on Pyroclastic

In the 1m handicap (13.35), Pyroclastic looks the one to beat after returning to form with a fine third last time out.