All-weather specialist Tangramm
TANGRAMM, all-weather specialist with previous victories at Wolverhampton, Kempton and Chelmsford, yesterday added Lingfield to his all portfolio when winning a 1m2f handicap under Dane O’Neill on the horse’s first ever run at the track.
Despite not having run for three months, the previous eight times winner always looked a likely contender in the race and the 10/1 shot was always handy throughout. A furlong from home any one of four horses looked to be within a chance but Dane kicked on and opened up a lead which never really looked in danger and at the line, Tangramm was half a length to the good ahead of the favourite, Abel Tasman
This was a stylish and impressive performance for Tangramm who was not only winning at the Surrey course for the first time but who had never won off a mark as high as 80 before. The 6yo gelding has always been a difficult one for the handicapper to nail down as he rarely wins by very far. His first victory came in November 2015 off a mark of 55 and the combined winning distance of all his nine wins to date have totalled just six lengths! He also has a remarkable strike rate of 33% with nine wins in 27 starts so must be a real joy to own for owner Mr John Marsden.
The race also marked the return of Dane O’Neill to British racing in 2018, so his first ride back was a winning one. Interestingly, he had ridden Tangramm just once before and that was the first time the horse ran for the stable back in October 2015 at Kempton. The pair were second, beaten a short-head. Clearly, Dane wanted to make amends!
Harper Lodge Farm continues on a roll and this was Dean Ivory’s 15th win of the year.
