French Minstrel broke his maiden when landing the 1m4f handicap at Lingfield yesterday. This was the 4yo son of Gutaifan's 5th start, having been lightly raced as a late maturing 3yo last year. He has turned a corner since his gelding operation and is now properly learning his trade. He made heavy weather of this and credit goes to jockey Callum Shepherd who kept him up to his work and delivered him to the line in the nick of time to win by a short head.

Having jumped well, he secured a handy position but came off the bridle with over 4f left to run. However, with the assistance of his jockey, he eventually picked up and ran on nicely in the final furlong. Hopefully he will come on for this and should be capable of winning again.

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Photo credit: @JH_Photographer

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