James Fanshawe has a strong hand at Lingfield Park on Saturday, February 14, with Heathcliff joined by Listed-winning stablemate Willem Twee in the Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap (3.10pm) over seven furlongs.
Seventh in last season’s Sprint final, Heathcliff has made the frame in all three starts at Kempton Park this season, most recently going down by three-quarters of a length in third to The Lost King on January 7.
Willem Twee, who captured the Golden Rose Stakes at the course in 2023, was a creditable third behind Ferrous and Germanic in a competitive handicap at Newcastle in May. The seven-year-old has not produced his best in three subsequent starts, latterly finishing last at Southwell at the end of January, and wears a first-time visor.
Tom Fanshawe, assistant to his father, said: “Heathcliff has had a good winter so far. He has been there or thereabouts and I think the form of those races is pretty strong, given what the horses around him have done subsequently.
“Although he has already run there as a two-year-old, I think a sharp seven around Lingfield with the short straight will really suit him. We think we have him in really good nick and are looking forward to seeing what he can do.
“Willem Twee is older now and probably becoming a bit wiser to the game! I thought his comeback at Southwell on New Year’s Day was respectable as that looked a very strong race, whereas his latest run was disappointing.
“He pulled up absolutely A1 afterwards, so we worked him in a visor on Wednesday and hopefully that will help his finishing effort. He is a fair bit lower in the weights now and I don’t think it would be a shock if he bounced back with headgear on.”
Wiltshire is another contender with Finals Day aspirations. The six-year-old has been lightly campaigned by William Haggas since finishing third in last season’s Listed Golden Rose Stakes, most recently taking sixth after a slow start at Newcastle’s AWC Trials Day.
Top weight Benevento also boasts Stakes form, with the son of Wootton Bassett taking the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster in 2024. Sidelined since July, the four-year-old makes his first appearance since joining Kevin Philippart de Foy from Raphael Freire.
Michael Herrington’s Legal Reform gained his eighth all-weather success at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day and almost followed up when going down by a half-length to Doctor Khan Junior at Southwell last month.
Tiger Crusade, a winner over the course and distance in January, turns out quickly for David Simcock after finishing eighth in a six-furlong handicap at Kempton Park earlier this week.
Best Rate, who was fourth behind Tiger Crusade last month, completes the lineup for Richard Hannon.
