RALPH BECKETT has much to look forward to in 2014 with the return of two classy fillies but it felt an awfully long way away from high summer as he watched his 1-4 favourite Like A Prayer scrape home at Lingfield.

It was unfortunate for Beckett that neither Talent nor Secret Gesture could strike again following their memorable one-two in the Investec Oaks and their trainer is already starting to map out their respective plans for the season.

On an afternoon of incessant rain in Surrey, Like A Prayer’s rider Jim Crowley had to get a little serious to prevent Upholland from creating a shock in the 32Red Casino Handicap, but last week’s Kempton winner eventually prevailed by half a length to the relief of his short-priced supporters.

Beckett said: ‘‘Bringing him back out six days later was a big ask but he doesn’t do things quickly and he’s still a baby.

‘‘He could get a bit further but he needs to relax.’’ Of his two stars, Beckett said: ‘‘They’re both back for this year, thankfully.

‘‘Secret Gesture has done particularly well for her winter break. She likes York as we saw in the Yorkshire Oaks so an obvious starting point would be the Middleton Stakes. Hopefully we can have a good swing of the bat with her.

‘‘With Talent, the Coronation Cup back at Epsom could be her target for the first half of the season.’’ Crowley said of Like A Prayer: ‘‘I had to go three wide on the bend and the other horse had a nice run up the inner but I only went for the stick once in the end.’’ It was a happy 33rd birthday for Tom Eaves as he helped the Robert Mills-trained Club House to hole the Ladbrokes Handicap.

The 10-1 chance pulled a length past Shaolin with Lady Cecil’s 4-5 favourite Just One Kiss fading to third.

‘‘I thought he was a bit unlucky when he was fourth here the other week,’’ said the birthday boy.

Clerk of the course Neil Mackenzie Ross said there had not been a wetter January since Lingfield had kept detailed records but reliable Irishman Sean Levey retained his usual sunny disposition on 6-4 favourite Cabuchon in the coral.co.uk Handicap.

David Evans’ gelding flashed through to finish a close second at Kempton and Levey played his cards late again as he cut down Standing Strong by half a length.

‘‘Conditions aren’t that good but the upside of this weather is that it isn’t cold,’’ Levey said.

‘‘He’s had two good runs recently but the pace wasn’t that good at Kempton and he’s a hold-up horse. I knew he didn’t have to improve to win.’’ James Eustace is a fan of Kirkwall, and Scottish Star (4- 1) is clearly his favourite son of the little-known stallion as he secured the 32Red Handicap under Luke Morris.

Crowley was on the end of a 1-4 defeat in the Compare Bookmakers At bookmakers.

co.uk Maiden Stakes when Chunghua was unable to catch Rose Buck (6-1).

Lee Carter’s filly put herself in the shop window, as representative John Joseph Smith said: ‘‘She’s going to the sales in Newmarket tomorrow so that should help her value.

Apprentice Lewis Walsh made nearly all the running on Waveguide (9-2), who may not quite have the X-factor of others in the David Simcock stable, but was up to collecting the 32Red.com Fillies’ Handicap.