LINGFIELD'S artificial polytrack surface is proving a big hit with most trainers and as a consequence some much classier horses are appearing at the Surrey track.

Take for instance Dubai Lightning (1.30), a blue-blooded youngster owned by Sheikh Mohammed and certain to go off hot favourite to win division one of the EBF Maiden Stakes.

Dubai Lightning, a son of top USA dirt sire, Seeking The Gold, cost a whopping $2,000,000 at last year's Keeneland Sales.

And although he didn't immediately begin to repay that monster price tag when finishing runner-up on his debut at York, at least the form of the race is top-notch since the winner, Governor Brown, has subsequently prevailed in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

In the light of that highly encouraging performance, Frankie Dettori should enjoy an armchair ride aboard the selection, an extremely exciting prospect for 2003.

You'll not get rich backing Dubai Lightning, but one fancied to go off at a much more rewarding starting price is Czarina Waltz (3.30) in the most valuable race of the day, the £10,000 mile-and-a-half Showcase Handicap.

Provided they are on good terms with themselves, following fillies at this time of year is never a bad idea and Czarina Waltz has two significant factors in her favour.

Firstly we know she is fully at home on the surface having won her maiden at the course in July.

And secondly the step up to 12 furlongs would appear to be just what she needs because recently at Ayr over two furlongs less the daughter of Emperor Jones was making ground on the leaders hand over fist in the closing stages.

Fast ground has decimated the fields at Exeter, where despite constant watering over the past few weeks conditions underfoot remain unseasonably firm.

It was the same story eight days ago at the west country course when three of today's runners, Ghutah (2.10), Sammy Samba (2.40), and My Bold Boyo (3.10), all won their respective races and now carry identical 7lb penalties.

Ghutah reappears in the opening contest on the card, the Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap. The race title is a bit of a give-away as far the low-grade nature of the event is concerned and a follow-up success seems the most likely outcome.

Sammy Samba, who has reportedly recovered from the breathing problems he encountered earlier on in his career, also has a fine chance of scoring back-to-back victories as he really didn't take a great deal out of himself when taking the money last week.

My Bold Boyo is an even more confident choice in the Dean & Dyball Construction Handicap Hurdle.

Kevin Bishop's gelding won with his head in his chest at the last meeting and simply cannot be opposed with only three totally exposed rivals to beat.

Finally to Fakenham where the £6,000 Prince of Wales Novices' Hurdle has attracted a very interesting timber debutant in the shape of Late Night Out (2.50), a Listed class performer on the flat.

In theory Late Night Out should be in a different league to the opposition, although he still has eight flights of hurdles to jump before his backers can go collect the cash.

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