Arlecchino's Rex, under a really well judged ride from Rose, got up on the line to win nicely at Lingfield yesterday; justifying the decision to go up in trip with him and opening up a whole new range of opportunities off his current mark; a horse to follow and for his kind Owners now we have found out about the trip.

AR now joins Bird For Life as horses capable of some remarkable hold up achievements; a bit like Paul Kellaway telling Fred Winter that he got there too soon in the 1970 Benson & Hedges Handicap Hurdle and he would have won easier if he had waited a bit longer. (Under 12 stone 7 and some people still say this was as good a performance over hurdles as there has ever been). But it was an excellent performance yesterday and everyone is pleased; and not least because the string as an entity is in such good nick.

No runners today; but we are taking the equally well/still well handicapped Victory Sound to Lingfield on Saturday; off a mark just two pounds more than when winning at Newcastle.