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Review of the action from Saturday's Lingfield meeting

Constantino and Paul Hanagan are clear at Lingfield
Image: Constantino and Paul Hanagan are clear at Lingfield

Constantino made a triumphant return after an 154-day absence to take the Play For Free At sunbets.co.uk/vegas Handicap at Lingfield.

Constantino made a triumphant return after an 154-day absence to take the Play For Free At sunbets.co.uk/vegas Handicap at Lingfield.

Owned by Sir Robert Ogden, the Richard Fahey-trained five-year-old had not been seen since September, but he showed no signs of ring-rustiness as he knuckled down for a deserved victory.

Paul Hanagan had Constantino (7-1) tucked away nicely in midfield in the early stages as Poet's Society and Sea Fox set the pace before unleashing him with his run in the straight.

The Danehill Dancer gelding quickened in good style and kept on gamely to score by half a length from Humbert, with Chevallier another three-quarters of a length away in third.

Hanagan told ITV Racing: "He's done absolutely nothing wrong. He's travelled all the way through and when the split came he wanted more.

"I just liked the way when he got challenged in the last furlong he put his head down and wanted it even more."

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Attain (7-1) gave leading all-weather trainer Archie Watson his 29th winner of the winter campaign in the Betway Handicap.

The nine-year-old got up close home to pip Widnes by a neck, with Yensir putting in his best work at the finish to claim third place, but two and a quarter lengths away.

It was 7lb claiming apprentice Pierre-Louis Jamin's first winner for Watson.

"I don't think I've screamed home a winner like that before. It's great for Pierre. It's his first winner for us," said Watson.

"We claimed this horse out of a race here about 15 months ago now and he's won four for us now.

"He's nine years old and he's the lead horse at home.

"For him to keep doing it in the afternoons for us and contributing is just great. He's a legend. He's the favourite in the yard and we'll have him forever now.

"Ammunition is the main thing. The horses are healthy and they're running well. Long may it continue."

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