Torp tops at Lingfield

9/5/2008 - 7:37:48 PM

His name disappeared from the training ranks last autumn but Charles Cyzer is still a regular on the racecourse and was on hand to welcome back Crackentorp after his impressive win in the Jackson Lift Group Handicap at Lingfield.

A year on from announcing his retirement due to declining levels of prize money, Cyzer has five horses in training with Gary Moore who bought his Horsham yard earlier in the year.

One of that quintet is Crackentorp (8-1) and the three-year-old followed up a course-and-distance romp four weeks ago by bursting clear under Fergus Sweeney and stretching away for a three-and-three-quarter-length call.

Cyzer said: "He could be quite useful and he has done that well.

"I trained his half-sister Boot 'n Toot. She won five times for me and they are a nice family."

Sweeney's win came at a cost though, as he was stood down for five days (September 19-23 inclusive) for careless riding in the early stages.

The Surrey course appears to bring out the best in Benllech and the four-year-old notched up his fifth course victory in the six-furlong Burstow Handicap.

Michael Wigham saddled the 10-1 chance to his previous wins at the track but his latest half-length success came on his first outing for David Simcock.

Simcock said: "He likes it here and that is his first win for me.

"I got him from the July sales and Michael Wigham got him to win three races.

"Hopefully there is a little improvement in him and I may well try him at seven furlongs as his options are limited over six."

A drop to the minimum trip saw things click into place for Ed Dunlop's Azwa in the Nutley Nursery.

The Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned 16-1 chance was well in command inside the final furlong and held on from the unlucky-in-running 4-6 favourite Olynard, who finished fast and late to go under by three-quarters of a length.

Dunlop's travelling head lad Robin Trevor Jones said: "Judged on her homework we were very confident at Kempton last time and she really disappointed us.

"We dropped her to the minimum trip today and it has paid dividends."

Hurakan benefited from an inspired Jim Crowley ride to take the Withyham Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Amanda Perrett's grey was always up with the pace and after being challenged on both sides down the home straight, the 20-1 chance pulled out more close to the line to score by a head and the same.

Perrett said: "He ran green first time out at Newbury and he is by Daylami so he needed time.

"He got an excellent ride today after getting the run of the race, and he will want further in time."

Supporters of grey horses enjoyed another success in the Holtye Median Auction Maiden Stakes as Pride Of Northcare slipped the field to collect by a length at odds of 11-4.

Rising star David Probert conjured a winning run from Oat Cuisine (9-2) in the Hartfield Fillies' Handicap, with the Colemans Hatch Handicap going to the confidently-ridden 11-10 favourite Billberry.