Lingfield preview: Komedy can have the last laugh

Komedy posted a career-best effort when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the 6f nursery on today’s card at Lingfield (14.30) now stepped up in trip.

The Charlie Hills trained filly hinted at ability when not knocked about in three maiden runs and looked the type that was being brought along steadily with handicaps in mind.

That view was confirmed when Komedy found only Celebration too strong in a 5f contest at Sandown 12 days ago when sent off a well-backed 7/2 joint-second favourite.

The daughter of Kodiac showed plenty of early pace to chase the leaders and ran on well to be beaten 2 1/2 lengths.

Although no match for the easy winner, there was plenty to like about the way Komedy stuck to the task and the front to pulled nearly three lengths clear of the third to give the form a solid look.

It was an effort which suggested Komedy’s current mark of 65 was exploitable, and today’s extra furlong looks sure to suit.

In the 6f maiden heat opens proceedings (14.00), Cautious Optimism can build on two promising runs to open his account.

The William Muir trained colt caught the eye on debut when keeping on well from off the pace under tender handling to finish third at Ffos Las, and duly improved for the experience when a cracking second at Nottingham on good-to-soft ground.

Cautious Optimism raced at the head of affairs in the latter, and went down fighting by a short-head to Blackout despite hanging left and showing signs of greenness.

That run showed that the daughter of Showcasing handled cut in the ground and should have no difficulty with today’s testing conditions, and granted normal improvement Cautious Optimism is going to be difficult to beat in what doesn’t look the strongest of class 5 contests.