Charlotte’s Web faces 11 rivals as she bids to give Simon & Ed Crisford a third straight win in the £110,000 BetMGM Winter Oaks at Lingfield Park this afternoon with the first due off at 12h15.
Charlotte’s Web winning the BetMGM Winter Oaks Trial (Pic – John Hoy)
The father-son partnership captured the 10-furlong fillies’ handicap with Al Agaila in 2023 and doubled up 12 months ago with Oh So Grand.
Following minor wins at Wolverhampton and Newcastle, Charlotte’s Web emulated her stable-mates by taking the BetMGM Winter Oaks Trial at the track in December.
Simon Crisford said, “Charlotte’s Web is in great form but will have to overcome a poor draw in stall 11.
“I hope she is still improving as she will need to post a career-best on the figures, but she has had a very good preparation, so we have to be hopeful of a nice run.”
The BetMGM Winter Oaks Trial form is well represented, with the neck runner-up Elladonna (James Fanshawe) and third Therapist (Nicky Henderson) both re-opposing.
Santorini Star is the least exposed runner in the lineup after winning two of her three starts for William Haggas, most recently taking a course and distance handicap in early December.
Nicky Henderson is double-handed, with Therapist joined by French recruit Timetoshine, who makes her UK debut for new owner Million In Mind Partnership following handicap wins at Chantilly and Deauville.
Anthony Bromley, who manages the syndicate, said: “Timetoshine was all ready to go hurdling but we saw this race over the weekend and thought it looked an attractive prize to go for.
“There is not a mares novices’ hurdle on nice ground to go for at the moment, so we thought we would get her started in this.
“She has won her last two starts on the all-weather over a similar trip, so we did not think it was a mad idea to re-route her here.
“The handicapper has put her on a career-high mark of 85 and, although we have no idea how that equates, it will be interesting to see how she gets on.”
James Fanshawe also has two contenders, with Elladonna accompanied by Charmaine, who finished second in a Wolverhampton handicap last time out.
Ralph Beckett’s Power Of Destiny looked a likely candidate for this race when beating Typical Woman (Ian Williams) at Kempton Park in November and has since finished fourth in the Listed Wild Flower Stakes.
Gowran Park maiden winner Cancelled makes her first appearance for The Horse Watchers and Jonjo & AJ O’Neill, having been purchased out of Willie McCreery’s yard in November.
Unassuming steps up in trip for George Boughey after chasing home Lady Of Spain in a mile handicap at Southwell, with the winner impressing in Listed company on her next start.
Hamilton handicap scorer Imperial Express (Andrew Balding) and Dayzee (Paul Attwater) complete the field.
There could be Mile category clues in the Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap, with Chelmsford scorer Sterling Knight heading the weights for Ed Dunlop.
Invincible Aura looks to follow up a recent course and distance success for Marco Botti, while Eagle Day backs up quickly for David Evans after finishing fourth at Chelmsford last weekend.
Another contender to note is Joseph Parr’s Kalamunda, who has won five of his seven all-weather starts.
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