Born To Be Alive stakes Lincoln claim with Trial triumph

Doncaster next stop for Wolverhampton winner.

Born To Be Alive enhanced his claims for the Unibet Lincoln at Doncaster in two weeks by winning the rehearsal for the big one-mile handicap at Wolverhampton.

The Karl Burke-trained seven-year-old had already ensured his place on Town Moor thanks to a 5lb penalty for scoring at Kempton last month.

Burke was keen to give him one more run in the Bombardier British-Hopped Amber Beer Lincoln Trial Handicap as it fitted in perfectly as a final prep outing and he would not incur a second penalty if successful.

Born To Be Alive (11-2) duly delivered to pick up this nice prize by half a length from On A Session under Clifford Lee.

Burke said: “We are delighted with that as we fancied Born To Be Alive strongly. He is in great form and has really stepped up since he came back from injury.

“I thought Cliff gave him a cracking ride. He managed to get himself into a great position from stall 10 and I don’t think the horse overdoes himself when he gets to the front.

“He will go for the Lincoln now. That has been the plan for a good while.”

Born To Be Alive was cut to 16-1 from 33-1 for the Lincoln with Betfair and Paddy Power.

Ryan Moore not only took the feature Lady Wulfruna Stakes on Mums Tipple, but enjoyed a 129-1 four-timer with other wins on Fiordland, Streamline and Nelson Gay.

Fiordland (6-5 favourite) confirmed the promise of his reappearance to get off the mark in the Bombardier ‘March To Your Own Drum’ Novice Stakes.

The James Ferguson-trained gelding was always prominent and hit the front a furlong out to beat Elakazaam by a length and a quarter.

A turf campaign beckons for the son of Invincible Spirit.

“He still had a lot to learn at Kempton. You could put a line through his first run last year, so we went there as first day of school,” said Ferguson.

“He seems to have come on for that run. Ryan gave him a great ride and everything went to plan.

“We’re hoping for a turf campaign with him. I think they learn a bit more on the all-weather, so I’m pleased we’ve got his maiden out of the way. He may step up a furlong if need be.”

Streamline (11-4 favourite) brought up the hat-trick when returning to form with victory in the Betway Handicap.

The Clive Cox-trained four-year-old struck the front in the final furlong and crossed the line three-quarters of a length ahead of Summerghand.

Moore said: “He was a good horse at two and has ran some promising races since returning this year. It’s nice to get his head back in front and the race went nicely for him.”

Moore always had Nelson Gay (15-8 favourite) in the right position as Richard Hughes’ three-year-old capped the jockeys’ day, winning the Ladbrokes Watch Racing Online For Free Handicap by a length and three-quarters from Bert Kibbler.

Richard Kingscote continued his fine run on the all-weather with a double on Starfighter and Kangaroo Point.

Starfighter (9-2 joint-favourite) continued his recent consistent run when getting up close home to snatch the Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap.

Kingscote produced Mark Loughnane’s five-year-old with a well-timed challenged to beat Fierospeed by a head to make it two wins and two seconds in his last four starts.

Loughnane said: “Our horses are flying. He’s been a slow burner since he came from Ed Walker’s, but I’m very pleased with him.

“Once he gets to the front he thinks he’s done enough.”

Kangaroo Point (11-8 favourite) got home by a short head from Sharp Suited in a terrific finish to the Betway Casino Handicap.

Kingscote said: “He had a quick run back after Southwell. You never know how much it takes out of them, even in a three-horse race, but he got into a nice rhythm just behind the leaders and knuckled down when the second horse came to him.”

Double Dealing (3-1 favourite) looked a three-year-old on the up when completing a hat-trick in smooth fashion in the Get Your Ladbrokes Daily Odds Boost Handicap.

The Richard Fahey-trained colt produced a nice turn of foot to score by a length from Praise Of Shadows in the hands of 3lb claimer Billy Garritty.

“He’s a nice horse and we’re really looking forward to the summer with him now,” said Garritty.

The well-supported Lorna Cole (9-4 joint favourite), trained by Mick Appleby, swept to victory in the Betway Claiming Stakes under Josephine Gordon.

“She won very well. We knew there would be a strong pace on although it was a small field,” said Gordon.

“The plan was to get her settled into a rhythm and she won with quite a bit in hand.”

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