News Graham Gibbons proves a Point with Lingfield treble

Graham Gibbons proves a Point with Lingfield treble

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Graham Gibbons dominated proceedings at Lingfield with a treble, highlighted by Volunteer Point winning the British Stallion Studs/32Red EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes.

Sent off the 1-3 favourite for the five-runner event, Mick Channon's filly was having a tune-up for a bigger pot in the 32Red All-Weather Fillies' And Mares' Championships Conditions Stakes back at the course on Good Friday.

Nevertheless, there was £27,000 on offer and it was a good bit of placing by Channon. She may not have won as her odds suggested, but Gibbons was able to take it easy inside the final half-furlong and coasted home three-quarters of a length ahead of Bint Dandy.

"The office deserve the credit because they spotted the race. There was good money on offer and it was perfect timing as she'd have only done more days of work at home.

"She was expected to win, and that was about all she did do, but it was a messy race early on and Graham didn't have a lot of options. She got it done, picked up some nice money and now we'll head to Finals Day and the mares' race."

Gibbons had earlier struck on Ralph Beckett's Easter Mate, the 6-4 favourite in the 32Red Casino Maiden Stakes.

From six previous runs the handicapper felt he had earned a mark of 80, usually plenty good enough to win an all-weather maiden. So it proved, but there was promise from the newcomers Abareeq and Major Assault in second and third respectively.

"He had the form in the book but I was a little worried about the drop back to seven furlongs," said Gibbons.

"We bounced out early and had an even gallop to run at. He was due to win."

Heart Locket was a winning 5-4 favourite for Mick Easterby and Gibbons in the 32RedSport.com Handicap.

"She has her own ideas about the game so we stuck blinkers on last time. She went too quick but still managed to finish fourth," Gibbons told At The Races.

"She was much better this time - she was professional and finished off well. There's more improvement in her."

Gibbons was denied a four-timer when his only other ride Hoofalong was a fast-finishing fourth to Fleckerl (6-1) in the Daily Price Boosts At Unibet Handicap.

Defying a penalty, the Conor Dore-trained winner was ridden by Jim Crowley, who said: "I rode him last time over seven furlongs and he showed enough pace that day that six wouldn't be a problem. He was last that day turning in so I wasn't worried he was short of pace.

"Now he's winning over six that should open up more doors as he spent most of his career running over a mile. He's getting quicker in his old age

"I think there's a bit more to come."