Six to suit Soul at Lingfield Michael Halford expects sole Irish challenger Russian Soul to appreciate trying the six furlongs in the Unibet All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes at Lingfield today. He was never able to strike a blow in the qualifier heat over five furlongs won by the reopposing Lightscameraction last month. "Russian Soul won well at Dundalk last time. We brought him over for the Hever Sprint at Lingfield last month and five furlongs was probably a bit sharp for him that day," said the County Kildare handler. "It all happened a bit quick for him and he was taken off his feet coming down the hill. He was finishing strongly that day and will appreciate racing over six furlongs. "We wanted to give him a bit of experience at the course with a view to coming back for Good Friday. "His win at Dundalk showed that he is in good spirits and he is a lot sharper now compared to earlier in the year. "He needed his first run (when winning at Dundalk on February 19) and his trip to Lingfield really sharpened him up. "He showed the benefit of that last week and has come out of the race really well." Dean Ivory cannot praise Lancelot Du Lac enough as his admirable six-year-old bids for further honours. The Radlett trainer describes the Shamardal gelding as an "old favourite" who always tries his hardest and while Lancelot Du Lac is effective over the minimum trip, six furlongs is his optimum. "He's an old favourite and we keep learning that little bit more about him," said Ivory. "He's more of a six-furlong horse. You can't find all the races at six so you go over five and take a bit of a chance. "This horse has got speed and Robert (Winston) just gets on that well with him he can use his speed early or later. "He just keeps pulling a bit more out of the bag and this horse is getting faster with age. "He's just a lovely horse to train. You can't overrun him. He puts 110 per cent in his races and if he run him too much you're going to spoil him. "You have to target his races and give him some time in between. He's uncomplicated."
