Marco Ghiani delivered a peach of a ride from last to first to enable Marco Botti’s Great Generation to win the William Hill Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield for a second successive year.
Ridden by Hollie Doyle when successful 12 months ago, she was in receipt of the three-year-old allowance that day but this time she was giving away weight to all five rivals.
She looked to face a stiff task when settled in the rear by Ghiani as Spiritual set off at a brisk pace, leaving her with several lengths to make up.
But Ghiani took the brave route against the rail and it paid off, as Great Gneration (11-2) eventually pulled out in perfect time to beat Jabaara by a neck.
“I walked the course and think it is beautiful ground,” said Botti.
“Marco did well, he was patient and I was delighted at the way she picked up with a penalty.
“She’s such a good mover with a very good turn of foot, and I said to Marco sit and wait.
“She’s 20 kilos heavier than last year and has done really well physically.
“There is Ascot and York later on, but the race I would love to win is the July Cup. We just need to decide whether to stick at seven furlongs, though in the back of my mind we might go back to six.
“She’s definitely got stronger. Coming back here and winning in style is a good omen for the season ahead.”
Ghiani and Botti doubled up when evens favourite Prince Of India got up late in the William Hill Lingfield Handicap.
Jason Watson has been picking up some nice rides from Andrew Balding and Candyman Stan (6-5 favourite) was another in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap.
“The owners are nice people and deserve to have a good horse. He could end up being a proper nice stayer but he’s still on the raw side, and he was idling in front. But when he gets some pressure, he finds more,” said Watson.
His owner David Newton added: “He travels well and seems to be happier at the front. I’ve bred a few winners but in the main National Hunt, so with his three wins, he’s reached the top of the pile.”
Alec Voikhansky shone on Richard Hannon’s Morcar (9-1) in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap.
“He always travels great and he’s one several always thought a bit about,” said the 3lb claimer.
“He likes this quick ground, which was riding pretty well.
“He really wanted it when I got at him and kept on to the line.
“I broke my arm in the winter but am hopeful of a good season in which I’ll ride as many winners as I can.”
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