Kevin Philippart de Foy is hoping So Darn Hot can fulfil a long-term plan in the BetMGM All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap (1.50pm) over six furlongs.
Runner-up at Newcastle earlier in the season, So Darn Hot is on for a £35,000 bonus after posting clear-cut victories at Newcastle and Lingfield Park’s AWC Trials Days, with his rating increasing 12lb to 93.
Andrew Balding has three runners as he chases a third straight victory in the race. The Kingsclere trainer saddles Berkshire Whisper, one of four handicap debutants in the field, Humam and Lingfield Park eye-catcher Marchogion.
The William Haggas-trained Carbine Harvester chased home So Darn Hot at Lingfield Park and boosted the form at Kempton Park last week, for which he shoulders a 6lb penalty.
Hello Zaman (James Tate) and Don Pacifico (Simon & Ed Crisford) line up in handicap company for the first time, having filled the places behind subsequent G3 Greenham Stakes fourth Diablo Rojo in a Lingfield Park novice.
Irish raider Dark Ace is another handicap debutant, with Ado McGuiness’ runner successful in two of his three starts at Dundalk this winter.
James Ferguson’s Cyclonite and Clive Cox’s Good Banter both have form with So Darn Hot already this season, while Tuco Salamanca drops down in trip after winning three of his last four starts for Ollie Sangster.
Leadenhall Street (James Fanshawe), Megaphone (George Boughey) and Master Technician (Rod Millman), who have all notched wins on the all-weather in 2025, complete the field.
The view from connections
Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of So Darn Hot, said: “This race has been the plan since November, when we ran him over five furlongs at Newcastle knowing the trip would be too short. He has gone up a bit in the handicap for his last two wins, but we have freshened him up and think we have him in very good form. We felt it made sense to book Warren Fentiman, who knows the horse and claims 5lb. All in all, we are very happy.”
James Tate, trainer of Hello Zaman, said: “Hello Zaman has been a work in progress. He improved a good chunk from his first to second run. I thought he would have won last time had he not wandered right near the line, in what looked a competitive novice. I think he has a decent chance of being well in at the weights and I am looking forward to running him.”
Andrew Balding, trainer of Berkshire Whisper, Humam and Marchogion, said: “They are all similar types and pretty hard to split if I’m honest. They have had good winter campaigns and a case can be made for all of them. I would imagine the draw and track position could play a part, but they all deserve their chance.”
William Haggas, trainer of Carbine Harvester, said: “I made a mistake running him at Kempton last week. I was frightened he was not going to get in but it turns out he would have done. He picked up a 6lb penalty but is only due to go up 4lb, so he is wrong at the weights as well. It means he has a lesser chance than he would have done.”
Clive Cox, trainer of Good Banter, said: “He definitely enjoys the all-weather surfaces. He has not run at Newcastle before but has won twice on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton. We think he comes here in good order.”
Simon Crisford, co-trainer of Don Pacifico, said: “This race has been on his radar for a while. His preparation has gone smoothly and I think he is in good shape. I am never confident but I am hopeful.”
James Ferguson, trainer of Cyclonite, said: “Cyclonite looks fantastic, having had a break since his last run. He has run well at Newcastle a couple of times, including winning there last summer. This is another step up but he has form with the leading contenders and hopefully he can grab some big prize money.”
Tom Fanshawe, assistant trainer of Leadenhall Street, said: “He won well on his penultimate start at Southwell and then probably was not quite peaking on his next run – he met a bit of trouble but did not finish off the race like he can. We thought he could be competitive off a 9lb higher mark and I think we have him back in really good form.”
Ado McGuinness, trainer of Dark Ace, said: “There are quite a few horses in this race making their handicap debuts and he is one of them. This horse has improved and I thought he ran a nice race on his comeback last month. That was a competitive race and I am not sure there is anything of Arizona Blaze’s calibre in here. I think he could run a big race.”
