Maureen Haggas, representing her husband trainer William, who is overseeing the stable's runner Dal Harraild in Dubai, was delighted with the progression produced by the filly Diagnostic to win the £150,000 32Red All-Weather Fillies' and Mares' Championships. "She was nice and relaxed throughout," said Haggas. "She has been wanting to get on with things a bit too much before, so it was very pleasing to see her take everything in her stride - she was good at the start, loaded early and was relaxed in the race with the fast pace suiting. She has done nothing wrong at all, seems to have grown up and matured a little, and the team at home has done a good job helping her to learn to relax." A four-year-old filly by Dutch Art, Diagnostic was bred by and is owned by David and Patricia Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud, which also stands her sire. Stud manager Chris Richardson said: "She has got the mile well and looks to have improved - the fast pace suiting. "She had a little foot abscess three weeks ago, so for a time it was a little touch and go as she did miss some work. "But this race was suggested as a target by William and we'll have to see if we can find some black-type for her now."
DIAGNOSTIC JUSTIFIES THE HYPE
The William Haggas-trained Diagnostic justified strong market support to land the £150,000 32Red Fillies' & Mares' All-Weather Championships over seven furlongs. The 7/2 favourite travelled sweetly under James Doyle and quickened up smartly in the home straight to score comfortably by a length. Charlie Fellowes' Carolinae (15/2) was second, with half-a-length back to Dean Ivory's Lucymai (5/1) in third. Winning on her first start at Lingfield Park, the imposing Diagnostic, a daughter of Dutch Art, is owned by Cheveley Park Stud. Winning jockey Doyle said: "She had been missing the break in her races which was not helping her chances, but the stalls handlers did a great job with her today. "Gary Witheford was down at the stalls with her today and he stood up in the gates with me, so she was nice and alert. "Once she broke nicely, there were plenty of options open as to how to ride her and there was no pace really, so I was happy to sit second. "Everything went to plan - it was very straightforward and she is back on track. "She has strengthened up and she handled the track. "Diagnostic just had a little look at the screen heading to the start. I was the last out and everybody else had gone. She was a bit lost but we eventually got down there. "Today was a bit more simple for her. I predicted a strong pace on paper but I think a few of them had done the same and reverted to different tactics. "Once we were out, all options were open and she relaxed really well. She has been a bit keen in small fields but was much better today.CAROLINAE SECOND TO DIAGNOSTIC
Carolinae, trained by Charlie Fellowes in Newmarket, was sent off a 15/2 chance, came home a length adrift of the 7/2 favourite and winner, Diagnostic, in the 32Red All-Weather Fillies' and Mares' Championships Conditions Race. Fellowes was not on the course but was represented by assistant trainer, Nico Archdale, who said: "Carolinae ran a perfect race, settled, quickened well, but it is a bit of a shame she had to switch to the inside which lost her half a length. She ran as well as we could hope. "We are very happy. "As to her next run, we will have to see what the boss says when we get home." Jockey of the six-year-old mare, Stevie Donohoe, added: "I thought it was a good run. She had a great pitch into the race, but it was unfortunate we had to switch on to the inside for her run. "She is in great order and I am really pleased with her." Jack Duern, aboard third home Lucymai (5/1), said: "She could have done with another week to be honest - it has come a bit to soon [after a fifth placed run at Kempton, Feb 17] but I was happy."
