Trainer Ross Burdon is Lingfield bound on Good Friday ahead of a huge afternoon of racing; read his Easter Update 2026 ahead of the new flat season getting into full swing.
Ross Burdon Racing: Easter Update 2026
With the new turf season starting last weekend at Doncaster, this weekend draws the curtain on the latest winter All Weather Championships and we’re lucky enough to have a runner at Lingfield where Mesaafi makes his return from a three month break in the Midnight All-Weather Sprint Vase which will be shown live on ITV4.
Easter Update 2026: Mighty Mesaafi
After disappointing at Newcastle on New Year’s Day I felt it was best to give Mesaafi a proper break, something he hadn’t had, other than 12 days turned out in the summer, since we bought him in November of 2024. Since coming back into work Mesaafi has been in good form and has done some pleasing work, but this will be a massive task on his first start back, especially having been drawn closer to the hotel on track than the inside rail.
I was actually very surprised to be able to get a run in this race, the bottom weight last year was rated 84 and we have snuck in from a mark of 80 this year. On best form Mesaafi would have a huge chance, having already won two handicaps from his current handicap mark, including one over course and distance, but, I’m not convinced he’s at his best when running back after a break and being a big burly horse he will definitely improve for the outing.
George Wood is riding Mesaafi for the first time, a jockey I think is hugely talented and has had plenty of sprint race success for Rebel Racing in the last couple of years so I’m hopeful they can be a good combination.
Easter Update 2026: Latest Runners
Last week’s runners performed creditably, without getting their heads in front, something which has been a bit of a theme through March. High Point returned to the flat at Kempton last Wednesday evening with a fine third under Jack Mitchell, only folding late on after a decent tussle up the straight with eventual winner Fleurman and Knight Templar. Jack took the initiative with no one else wanting to go forward and cut out some very solid fractions over the marathon two mile trip, looking to expose any non-stayers.
High Point looked very happy not to have any obstacles in front of him this time and traveled extremely well throughout the race, bowling along in front with his ears pricked until turning into the straight where Jack tried to turn the screw just a little harder, and, having looked like Fleurman may have cried enough, Knight Templar joined the duel and Fleurman found another burst and went on to win. It was a great run back after two average attempts at hurdling, as well as proving he handles an all-weather surface as well, this being the first time he had placed on a synthetic surface.
Easter Update 2026: Cezarro
On Saturday evening Cezarro stepped up in distance at Southwell trying to improve on his recent second place at Kempton. After bemoaning the lack of pace at Kempton, we were again subjected to a messy race with no one wanting to go forward, resulting in a dawdle to the half way point, until Knight of Magic pulled his way to the front and raced freely down the back.
Frustratingly no one followed and so Cezarro was caught too far back off a slow pace on an evening where nothing seemed to be making ground up from the rear of the field, eventually staying on to take fourth place. In hindsight it was a good run, but I was pretty disappointed as he shows a decent level of ability at home.
Easter Update 2026: Chelmsford Park
With Good Friday’s meetings being on I would be remiss not to mention Chelmsford after they lost their valuable two day meeting, as well as any future potential meetings, this week.
Firstly, Chelmsford has been a good course for us, Mesaafi gave us our first winner at the track when winning a SkyBet Sunday Series race there last June, which was live on TV and gave us some great exposure, as well as Ernie’s Valentine providing our apprentice Phoebe Edwards with her first winner and Waistcoat winning a nice race there this January. Chelmsford is a pretty fair track, is in a great location for us Newmarket trainers and I am sure I wont be the only person that is worried about the future of the track.
The way the whole situation has been handled has been embarrassing for the sport, with the abandonment done less than two hours after declarations were made, meaning plans that had been in place for weeks, if not months were left in tatters as well as leaving jockeys without rides when they could have potentially ridden elsewhere and the BHA and Chelmsford’s execs seemingly blaming each other for the closure. I hope it gets resolved as losing Chelmsford would be a big blow.
By Ross Burdon
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