ALL-WEATHER racing from Lingfield and Kempton seems the safest bet today with both Towcester and Leicester under threat from waterlogging and needing to pass early morning inspections.

Lingfield stages the better quality action including their feature event, the seven furlong £18,000 Oxted Veterinary Clinic Handicap.

Picking an individual with proven ability to handle the polytrack surface well is never a bad idea, a theory that brings previous course winner, Dingaan (3.10), right into the equation.

Andrew Balding's colt has won three of his four starts so far this year, but that doesn't tell the full story since his sole defeat was as the result of some severe mid-race buffeting, rather than any fault of his own.

The situation arose principally because of a poor draw, however Dingaan shouldn't suffer similarly bad lack this afternoon on account of his favourable far rail berth in stall two.

Alan King, who made his name as a National Hunt handler, is now branching out onto the Flat with considerable success.

Not content with mopping up valuable prizes over the jumps at the recent Cheltenham Festival, King landed a valuable Listed race on the Knavesmire last week, and could well add to his tally on the level via Prince Vector (4.40).

Prince Vector was no match for the well-weighted Top Seed at Bath in April, none the less he still ran well and must be regarded as a leading contender for the £10,000 Arena Leisure Handicap.

* Rod Millman has confirmed Sergeant Cecil will head to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot without the aid of another run. The seven-year-old showed his well-being with a fine effort in the Yorkshire Cup last week in conditions that would not have suited and Millman says the outcome of the Ascot race will shape his season.

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