Chancellor set himself up for a potentially fruitful 2026 with victory in the Listed BetMGM Tandridge Stakes at Southwell on Saturday.
The four-year-old lined up in the mile highlight on the back of two strong performances at Kempton Park, where he landed a seven-furlong handicap and went down by a head to Holloway Boy in the Listed Hyde Stakes.
Chancellor raced in midfield of the seven runners under Robert Havlin before moving through to lead with a furlong and a half remaining. The son of Kingman hung left throughout the closing stages but always looked in command as he repelled last year’s winner Tyrrhenian Sea by a length.
Trained by John & Thady Gosden for owner-breeder Cheveley Park Stud, Chancellor’s upturn in performances has coincided with his return from wind surgery and a gelding operation. The handicapper has increased his rating 3lb to 111.
Robert Havlin said: “Chancellor got to the front, pricked his ears and then half dropped a gear with me.
“He has had wind surgery and, mentally, he is still getting over that. That is why I think turf racing will suit him better – because on the all-weather everything is a big rush off the bridle and it takes him a while to catch up with himself.
“He is lightly raced, having only had eight runs, and has always had solid horses around him. I don’t know what the immediate plans are, but I know he will have some nice entries during the summer. I think a bit of cut in the ground over a mile will see him to best effect.”
One of Ireland’s leading all-weather performers Valiant Force outclassed his rivals in a five-furlong conditions race at Dundalk. Amo Racing’s five-year-old is set to travel over for the Listed Midnite Hever Sprint at Lingfield Park later this month, a race he finished third in last year at Southwell.
Fahrenheit Seven put himself in the Sprint final reckoning with a bounce-back win in a five-furlong handicap at Newcastle. Down the field in the Ayr Gold Cup on debut for Robert Cowell, the five-year-old was a progressive performer for previous trainer Mark Usher and will race off 99 next time out.
Ribble Vibe, who chased home Duke Of Oxford in the Marathon contest at Newcastle’s AWC Trials Day last month, boosted the form with a class two success at Wolverhampton. Trained by David O’Meara, Ribble Vibe started the winter with a mark of 81 and is up a further 3lb to 91.
There were couple of notable performances in the 3YO division, with Mr Juggles posting a comfortable victory on his handicap debut at Southwell for Mick Appleby. The son of Mohaather has gone up 7lb to 81 and could take in Lingfield Park’s AWC Trials Day at the end of the month.
The same race might be a target for Sparksmith, who spreadeagled the field to win a six-furlong Wolverhampton maiden by five lengths. Placed on his two other starts, James Ferguson’s runner has been given an opening mark of 80.
