Lingfield preview: Festive Fare looks tasty in Coral Winter Derby

David Metcalf | February 26, 2016

Festive Fare hot stuff in Coral Winter Derby

Festive Fare has an excellent all-weather record and can further enhance it with victory in the Group 3 Coral Winter Derby at Lingfield (15.20).

The Charlie Appleby-trained gelding has won three of his four starts on the polytrack surface, and has some top class form to his name.

Festive Fare was beaten just 2 1/2 lengths when fourth to subsequent Investec Derby, Coral-Eclipse and Arc winner Golden Horn in the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket last year, and shaped really well last time out when chasing home Grendisar over course and distance.

The Godolphin-owned four-year-old went down by just 1/2 a length in the latter having run in snatches and shaped as if needing the outing after a 56 day break.

That run should have blow away the cobwebs and put Festive Fare spot on for this, and the fitting of the cheekpieces for the first time looks a positive move.

They should sharpen up the son of Teoflio and enable him to race more sweetly, and if that proves to be the case I fully expect Festive Fare to turn the tables on Grendisar and provide Appleby with a second success in the contest following Trsyter’s victory in the race 12 months ago.

Muthmir looks a cut above