Charlotte’s Web will be aimed at the BetUK Easter Classic after she provided Simon & Ed Crisford with a third straight victory in the BetMGM Winter Oaks at Lingfield Park.
Following a come-from-behind success in last month’s BetMGM Winter Oaks Trial, the Night Of Thunder filly showed her versatility as she made all in the 10-furlong highlight under Jack Mitchell.
Having kicked for home at the top of the straight, the 5/2 favourite had to be resolute as she held off Elladonna by a nose, with Power Of Destiny a short-head further back in third.
Charlotte’s Web has now won her last four starts on the all-weather, with the handicapper allotting her a revised rating of 95.
The Crisfords landed the BetMGM Winter Oaks with subsequent Listed scorer Al Agaila in 2023 and doubled up last year with Oh So Grand.
Simon Crisford said: “I am really pleased as this race has been the plan for a while. It was a fantastic front-running ride from Jack and a great effort from the filly.
“It was not the plan to make the running but, from that draw in stall 11, we felt we needed to jump and get a good position. She found herself in front and switched off well.
“It is difficult to compare her to our other winners of this race, although she seems to be progressing with each race and looks of a similar level to them at this stage of her career.
“The intention now is to head to Finals Day and she will not run before then. In time, I hope she will be up to getting black type.”
Mitchell said: “We have never ridden Charlotte’s Web from the front before but, because we were drawn wide, I was keen to get a good jump. Then I was hoping something on the inside would tow me along, but everyone took back, I ended up in front, and had to go to plan B.
“She was quite relaxed in front and, when she picked up, I thought she had put the race to bed, but then she was having a look and wandered around. They were coming at me, but thankfully the line came in time.
“She won the trial by sitting last and coming late and wide, whereas we completely changed it up today, not necessarily by design. She is a credit to the Crisfords and the team.”
Master Of My Fate is the biggest handicap mover this week, with John & Sean Quinn’s runner going up 10lb to 85 for winning a five-furlong handicap on the same Lingfield Park card. The five-year-old will look to defy a penalty at Southwell on Thursday.
Elsewhere, Newcastle staged its All-Weather Championships Trials Day, which saw notable performances from Old Harrovian, Storm Star and Cloud Cover among others. All the news from that meeting can be accessed here.
Jabbar caught the eye in Ireland as he landed a two-mile conditions race at Dundalk by six and a half lengths. Gerard O’Leary’s six-year-old had finished third in a Premier handicap at Naas in October and also scored over hurdles at Galway.
Ben Haslam’s William Dewhirst is up to a career-high mark of 81 after registering a fourth win from his last five starts at Newcastle. The five-year-old makes a quick reappearance at the course on Thursday, when he clashes with another in-form runner in Antony Brittain’s Mondammej.
