DIGPAST is an obvious choice in the Peach Amateur Riders' Handicap at Lingfield today. The Roland O'Sullivan trained six year old - due to be ridden again by Davy Jones, former singer with the 1960s group, The Monkees, and owned by his daughter Sarah - comes into the race in fine form and looks to hold first rate claims despite having to shoulder top weight of 12st 5lb.
The chestnut had not been going well towards the end of last year but made the most of a step up to a mile and a quarter, when finishing second to Celestial Choir on his first run of 1996, keeping on well to the line and going down by a length and three quarters.
Jones was in the saddle when Digpast went one better over, this course and distance last, Thursday. Held up in rear during the early stages, Digpast was produced to lead approaching the two furlong marker and was soon in control, having two and a half lengths to spare over Four of Spades at the line.
Despite a 5lbs penalty for that win, Digpast will again prove difficult to beat.
O'Sullivan can complete a double with Masnun in the Plum Claiming Stakes. The grey, now 11 years old, may not be quite the force of old but evidently still enjoys running round Lingfield and is a powerful ally in the claiming graded.
He can make it four wins from four runs in 1996.
Never So Rite has a good chance in the Cherry Handicap.