Lingfield Park staged a searching examination of stamina and resolve on Monday, January 19, as the Surrey National Raceday 2026 unfolded under testing winter conditions. Over seven races run between 12:50pm and 3:50pm, the spotlight firmly settled on the Surrey National Handicap Chase (GBB Race), where endurance mattered as much as class. With a winner’s share of £15,843, the feature delivered a result that reflected patience, grit, and measured execution.
The afternoon opened with youthful promise in the Open National Hunt Flat Race (Cat 1 Elimination), where Broken Vow, a 4-year-old chestnut filly, set the tone. Ridden confidently by Sean Bowen and trained by Olly Murphy, she travelled smoothly before asserting late to score in 3m 35.36s for the Olly Murphy Racing Club. Itsinthename chased her home, with Le Cold Grey finishing third, as the opener hinted at a competitive day ahead.
Momentum carried into the Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race), where Wondering Why, a 5-year-old bay gelding, delivered a clear-cut success. Ben Jones timed the run well for trainer Ben Pauling, guiding the gelding home in 4m 4.48s. Owned by Basher Watts Racing NH Syndicates 2 and bred by Mrs Orla Hughes, the winner showed composure to hold Jamada and Zamek at bay.
Stamina then took centre stage in the feature, the Surrey National Handicap Chase (GBB Race). Aworkinprogress, a 7-year-old bay gelding trained by Nick Gifford, produced a relentless display under James Davies to land the prize for owner John P McManus. Jumping accurately and staying strongly, he stopped the clock at 7m 46.14s, outlasting Catch Catchfire and Invincible Nao in a race that demanded full commitment from start to finish.
The supporting Handicap Hurdle saw Luwdvig emerge on top for trainer Neil King. The 7-year-old bay gelding, partnered by Jack Quinlan, travelled prominently before asserting to score in 5m 8.83s. Godot filled second place, with Karton Plein completing the frame.
Experience proved decisive in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle, where Bollin Thou, an 8-year-old bay gelding, delivered a professional performance. Sean Bowen completed a double on the day, steering Nick Scholfield’s runner to victory in 5m 7.89s ahead of Inion Tiogair and Court One.
The Handicap Chase that followed belonged to Icaque de L’Isle, trained by Richard J Bandey. Harry Bannister kept the 8-year-old bay gelding in rhythm throughout, drawing clear late to win in 6m 22.53s, with Thruthelookinglass second and Felton Bellevue third.
The card closed with another Handicap Chase, where Gwennie May Jem, a 6-year-old bay gelding trained by Olly Murphy, signed off the afternoon in style. Sean Bowen added yet another success, guiding the winner home in 5m 22.24s for owner Ms Gwendoline M Clarke, ahead of Ronnies Reflection and Begin The Luck.
As the light faded, Lingfield Race Results 19 January delivered a narrative shaped by stamina, experience, and measured riding, with Aworkinprogress standing tall as the defining performer of a demanding winter afternoon.
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