Blue Bajan Primed For Lingfield Listed Ibetx.Com Churchill Stakes Test

Cambridgeshire runner-up Blue Bajan is on target to make his first foray into Listed company in the #40,000 ibetx.com Churchill Stakes (3.15pm) at Lingfield Park on Winter Ladies Day this Saturday, November 18.

The Andy Turnell-trained four-year-old heads to the 10-furlong contest after posting the best effort of his career when finishing runner-up to the impressive Formal Decree in the 33-runner totesport Cambridgeshire over nine furlongs at Newmarket on September 30.

Turnell revealed today: 'Blue Bajan is heading to Lingfield, all being well. He came out of the Cambridgeshire in good form and has had a bit of a freshen up since then. We´ve always had this race in mind, although it looks a bit hot.

'I was delighted with his run behind Formal Decree at Newmarket. Take the winner out and I´d be even happier. He went up 4lb for that and he´s off 98 now, but Adrian (Nicholls) got off him and said he thought he´d win a Listed race, so we decided to have a crack at this one.

'Michael Hills has won on him twice - at Ascot and Newmarket - and he takes the ride on Saturday.'

Turnell is weighing up future options for Blue Bajan, who showed his liking for Lingfield´s Polytrack surface when securing a 12-furlong handicap at the course in October 2005, and he could return to the venue in March for the Group Three Winter Derby.

The Swindon handler reported: 'I would hope there might be more improvement to come from him because he´s only four. He looks stronger but how much can they improve? He´s improved considerably through the season.

'It would depend how he runs on Saturday as to what we do now with him. He must have a break anyway but he´s not a horse that you can turn out for two months and forget about. He gallops about and wants to come in all the time. He wouldn´t go to Dubai but he could go hurdling. We are also considering having a crack at the Winter Derby with him in March.'

The ibetx.com Churchill stakes has attracted a high-quality 27-strong entry that includes the past two winners of the race, the Paul Webber-trained Kew Green, and Grand Passion from the Geoff Wragg yard.

Group Three winner Orcadian and Group Two victors Nayyir and Weightless could line up, alongside the Dermot Weld-trained Simple Exchange, winner of the 2004 Grade Two American Derby.

Others among the excellent entry include totesport.com November Stakes hero Group Captain, Group Two-placed Babodana, Swedish Listed winner Maybach and Godolphin´s Centaurus.