The tremendously popular sprinter Borderlescott is to return his attentions to competing on turf after his first outing on an all-weather surface for four season proved far from a success as he beat only one rival home in the listed Hever Sprint Stakes at Lingfield, writes Elliot Slater.
The 10-year-old had been expected to give a good account of himself having come to hand earlier in the season that has been the case in the past as a result of the particularly mild spring in the north of England, but after showing plenty of early pace he seemed to struggle to handle the sharp bend into the Lingfield straight and lost his position before keeping on again when the action was all but over in the race won by Fratellino, a horse rated 16lb his inferior on official figures in the horse racing betting news.
Trainer Robin Bastiman refuses to be downhearted about the run amid calls from some quarters that the veteran speed merchant should be retired, and insists that the dual Group 1 winner has been showing all his old dash on the gallops at his Wetherby base and continues to relish the routine of being involved on a day-to-day basis in full training. If the old horse has lost some of his speed, Bastiman suggests that he will lower his sights a little in order to allow the gelded son of Compton Place to have a good chance to add to his 13 career victories, which as well as two wins in the Nunthorpe Stakes, also include the 2006 Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood and the Group 2 King George V Stakes at the same meeting in 2010.
A possible trip north to Mussleburgh in early April could well be next on the cards for the rags-to-riches veteran who remains a firm favourite with racegoers and horse racing betting tips, who have warmed to his gutsy never-say-die attitude.
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