Lingfield preview: Golden chance for Fairway to Heaven

David Metcalf | November 17, 2015

Fairway To Heaven posted a cracking effort when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land an overdue success in the 6f handicap on today’s card at Lingfield (13.15).

A Fair chance

The Michael Wigham trained gelding is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing a class 2 contest at Windsor off a mark of 89 back in June 2014. However, Fairway To Heaven has ran well on numerous occasions to make the frame and having been rated as high as 96 is now able to race in this class 4 contest off 83.

That is 6lb lower than when last victorious and gives the six-year-old major claims from a handicapping perspective. Fairway To Heaven also comes into the race having shaped as if his time was near when running on strongly to finish a 1 1/4 length second of 12 to Spring Loaded at Windsor last month.

That form reads well in the context of this contest, and connections are now fitting the son of Jeremy with blinkers for the first time. This looks a shrewd move given that Fairway To Heaven is a strong traveller but tends to race a bit lazily, and with Jim Crowley in the saddle this looks a nice opportunity for him to get back in the winners’ enclosure.

Another good Catch

In the other 6f handicap on the card (14.20), Dawn Catcher can take advantage of a drop in class to land the spoils.