Lingfield

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Trainer Paul Chamings praised those responsible for the newly-framed meetings at Kempton on Wednesday and Lingfield on Thursday, after he scored with Aye Aye Digby on the latter card.

Racing authorities had been quick to react after the abandonment of scheduled meetings at Towcester and Windsor on Monday, Ascot on Wednesday and Folkestone and Leicester on Thursday, swiftly arranging the all-weather fixtures at two of London’s closest racecourses.

“I have to thank them for this because he [Aye Aye Digby] would have loathed the soft ground at Folkestone,” Chamings said after the seven-year-old had justified favouritsm to score by four and a half lengths under George Baker in the six furlong Class 6.

“This [fixture] just gives us another option. We are now possibly looking at a six furlong at Goodwood, or we my just stay in this company.

“The quick arrangement of these fixtures is great. All you need to do is go on to your computer to enter them.

“I am sure it benefits the bigger trainers even more, but it is a huge help to us all.”

John Hills was another trainer who was impressed by the newly framed Lingfield card which permitted entries on Tuesday and declarations yesterday.

The Lambourn trainer landed the seven furlong Class 5 with Xinbama, whose victory under jockey Seb Sanders proved to be just recompense for an unlucky run here at his last start.

“Xinbama got no luck here last time,” Hills said. “He got absolutely no daylight at any stage. Seb pushed him for about three strides and he was completely boxed in.”

“It was so good that they moved this meeting. He wouldn’t have run at Folkestone as he wants good ground.”

Talbot Green was another to justify his connections faith when taking the two mile Class 6 for trainer William Muir and jockey Martin Dwyer.

“He has been knocking at the door and has been running well at this level,” Dwyer said after four-year-old had prevailed at odds of 9-4. “He stays well, so it is good to get a win on the board.

“I was happy to lead as I know he is a galloper. With some of these others messing about with the pace you are better off to get out there and do it yourself.”

Jockey Hayley Turner used the same tactics when leading all the way in the next race, the 10 furlong Class 5, on the Tim McCarthy trained Understory.

“Hayley gave him a great ride,” McCarthy said. “It is not easy to do that around here. He is a great horse and as tough as old boots.”