Oh So Grand sparkles at Lingfield's weekend festival with jump racing frozen off

20 January 2024 , 16:14

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Oh So Grand's sharp turn of foot took her to the front in Lingfield's BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies' Handicap (Image: Getty Images)

Jump racing fell to the freeze – and put all-weather action at Lingfield's Winter Million Festival in the spotlight.

Oh So Grand showed a bright burst of speed to delight BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies' Handicap favourite backers. Her wide run and a slow pace failed to hamper the 11-8 market leader, winning with more in hand than the length and a half margin.

"Her level of progression is mind-blowing," said rider Jack Mitchell, his mount's hat-trick lining up a potential Group race bid. "When I asked her to go she was electric."

Aidan Keeley sneaked up the inner of his idol Ryan Moore in the Bet 10 Get 40 At BetMGM Handicap, riding 6-1 shot Fantastic Fox. The apprentice put his 3lb claim to good effect, by pouncing on one of the world's best jockeys and favourite Talis Evolvere.

"It's just great to be riding against him." said Keeley. "I couldn't have asked for a better start to the year."

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Saturday's card was the middle leg of a three-day event, but Friday's National Hunt action was scuppered by -8C and the programme this afternoon hinges on an inspection. In a new development, Windsor and Ascot will combine to create a new-look Berkshire Winter Million weekend from 2025.

"The track has taken -8C and -7C in the last two nights," said Lingfield Park spokesman Charlie Moore, from the thawing turf. "I will be very surprised if we aren't racing on Sunday."

L'Homme Presse (left), 14-1 for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup with William Hill, is set to make his return from a 391-day absence on Sunday (PA)

The meeting features the return of Gold Cup contender L'Homme Presse and Nico de Boinville, just 23 days after he suffered a broken collarbone in a racecourse fall. Nicky Henderson's main jockey won the race to be fit enough for Jonbon's appearance in Ascot's Clarence House Chase. But it has been rescheduled at Cheltenham for the fourth time in 12 years, a fixture which completes its 2024 Festival build-up next Saturday.

In a bizarre turn of events, Prestbury Park is forecast temperatures 24C higher than the recent chill in upcoming days.

"It got down to -10C, so we are waiting for the frost to come out of the ground," clerk of the course Jon Pullin said. "Adding an eighth race to the card is icing on the cake."

Melissa Jones