SMOOTH RUNNING AT LINGFIELD

Beverley Macca made the long journey from Lancashire count when landing the Cheltenham Gamble At newmarketconnections.com Handicap upon the resumption of racing at Lingfield today.

Five-pound claimer Joanna Badger had the 2-1 shot at the head of affairs out of the stalls and the partnership held off the challenge of 7-4 favourite Spinetail Rufous by a length despite drifting right inside the final furlong.

'She deserved to win this race after running such a good race against older horses last time,' said winning trainer Alan Berry.

Having been in the horse box for six hours en-route to the course Beverley Macca can look forward to a shorter trip in the future.

'I`d like to run her at Chester in a decent handicap on turf on good ground,' added Berry.

Berry had to settle for the runner-up spot in the following Book Your Wedding at Lingfield Park Selling Stakes when stable stalwart Palacegate Touch (13-8f) just failed to peg back 10-1 shot Jackerin who stole a march over his rivals on the final bend to win by a length.

The honour of being the first winner in Britain for seven days went to Bathwick Dream who made every post a winner in the two-mile Trackside Carvery Apprentice Handicap Stakes.

Trained by qualified vet Dr Jeremy Naylor, the 12-1 shot was another who drifted across the track reducing her winning margin over Half Tide to six lengths.

Naylor admitted he had some doubts about running his charge who was the first home-bred winner for owner Wayne Clifford.

'I thought long and hard about racing this afternoon and that`s for the farmers,' he said.

'We are standing shoulder to shoulder with them.'

Dr Naylor trains just 15 miles from the site of a confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth.

'We are safe where we are. We are self-contained and not near any stock,' he added.

Companion ran away with the Conference Facilities At Lingfield Park Maiden Stakes, gaining an 11-length verdict over That`s Jazz with Madrasee a further neck back in third.

Winning trainer Brian Pearce paid tribute to the role played by winning jockey Martin Dwyer in the success.

'Martin got her out of the pack like a dream,' said Pearce.

Imprevue gave trainer Roland O`Sullivan his first success in 84 days when landing the Price Regency Spring Textile Show Claiming Stakes while the closing Get Fit At Lingfield Leisure Club Handicap Stakes went to the Gary Moore-trained Bravura.