Bangkok proves best at Lingfield Bangkok asserted in the closing stages to land the odds in the Betway Easter Classic All-Weather Middle Distance Championships at Lingfield. Andrew Balding’s five-year-old showed he had recovered from his trip to Riyadh for the world’s richest race, the Saudi Cup, six weeks ago to justify his short price. Bangkok (5-6 favourite) had to work hard, but he was a willing partner for Silvestre de Sousa. Making his move just before the home turn, De Sousa closed the door on his main market rival, Forest Of Dean. That have him a crucial edge, but Bangkok still had to catch Palavecino. His touch of class and stamina enabled Bangkok to get the verdict by a neck from the 8-1 shot. It was an All-Weather Championships double for Balding, who won the Marathon with Ranch Hand, and an across-the-card treble after the victory of Napper Tandy at Newcastle. Balding said: “I thought Silvestre gave him a masterful ride in keeping Forest Of Dean in at the right time. “He’s a very tough horse that has travelled all over the place in recent months, and it’s great that he can bring his A-game to the table today. “He hasn’t quite hit the heights we thought he might after he won the Classic Trial at Sandown, but he settles so well that I think he might get a mile and a half now. “Silvestre said we should drop him back to a mile, but the most likely race for him is the Huxley Stakes at Chester, as long as the ground is all right.” Summerghand got up in the dying strides to snatch the Betway All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes on the card. Wearing a visor for the first time, Summerghand pegged back Exalted Angel on the line in the hands of Adam Kirby in a driving finish to the six-furlong heat. Aberama Gold got a flier from his rail draw and took the field along with Tone The Barone, Exalted Angel and Highland Dress all handy. The field spread wide on the turn for home with the race very much up for grabs. Summerghand (6-1), trained by David O’Meara, got into top gear in the final furlong though, edging out Exalted Angel by a head to land his first success since the Stewards’ Cup last summer. The seven-year-old was making a swift reappearance having contested the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster last Saturday. Kirby said: “He’s a horse with a lot of ability and a good bit of class. “Unfortunately, last time at Doncaster he didn’t get the rub and at Wolverhampton before that gave the winner a lot of weight. He was due to win. “I was content in my position following Brian The Snail. I decided to pull out and luckily a horse stopped at just the right time when I was about to start my run. “I therefore didn’t lose too much ground and it worked out well. I think the visor put a bit of an edge on Summerghand. “Full credit to David O’Meara and his team. Hopefully, we continue to have a bit of luck together. “It’s great to have a winner on Finals Day.” Irish raider Harry's Bar could only finish sixth for Ado McGuinness and Hollie Doyle. Ranch Hand showed a neat turn of foot in the straight to land the Betway All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes. James Doyle produced Andrew Balding’s five-year-old with a well-timed run to lead just over a furlong out. Ranch Hand quickly put the race to bed and he galloped on strongly to hold the late challenge of Rock Eagle by a length and a half, with Lucky Deal third.
