Elliott's Mountain King set to reign at Stratford
IT'S the penultimate meeting of the 2016 season at Stratford on Saturday, with a seven-race card featuring the £25,000 totequadpot Four Places In Four Races Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs, writes David Hucker.
With host of jump meetings this week, there were plenty of options for trainers around the country but, with valuable prizes on offer, Stratford attracted a large number of entries and these have turned into some competitive fields, including seven declared for the big race.
Irish trainer Gordon Elliott, whose string has been boosted by the arrival of horses owned by Gigginstown House Stud previously trained by Willie Mullins, sends over Mountain King, twice a winner at Perth under champion jockey Richard Johnson.
There will be a change of rider on Saturday, with Tom Scudamore taking over, and, despite having to carry top weight, the combination look to have a good chance of landing the first prize.
Course winner Roman Flight, who takes a while to get warmed up in his races, may find this trip on the short side, and the danger could lie in Mont Royale, whose trainer Jonjo O’Neill saddled his 2,000 British winner at Uttoxeter on Thursday.
Prior to racing, annual members have the chance to visit the Condicote stables of Martin Keighley.
Formerly a jockey with the legendary David Nicholson before turning to training, Keighley has run 29 horses over the summer jumps campaign, including Sticking Point, owned by HRH The Princess Royal, and Somewhere To Be, owned and bred by her daughter Zara Phillips. Seven have won, amassing nearly £40,000 in prize money.
There will be plenty of time to make the short journey back to Stratford for the first race, the Class 3 toteplacepot Racing´s Favourite Bet Mares´ Handicap Hurdle, which is due off at 2.05pm.
Course winner May Hay, owned and bred by Willie Carson, was not disgraced behind Sharp Rise last month and races off the same handicap mark of 125 on Saturday. She is a model of consistency and could make the perfect start to the afternoon for Scudamore.
Sharp Rise, meanwhile, will revert to chasing as he also races on Saturday, lining up for the $350,000 American Grand National at Far Hills, as he bids to become a first Grade 1 success for Over Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon.
Next up is the toteexacta Forecast The 1st And 2nd Selling Hurdle and Tajseer could be another winner for the Elliott/Scudamore combination, although he needs to bounce back after a disappointing performance at Navan last time out.
But, on official ratings and in receipt of 4lbs, Angus Glens, who has run consistently this year without getting his head in front, should come out on top for trainer David Dennis.
Between them, Dennis and Philip Hobbs accounted for a third of the entries in the £12,000 totetrifecta Pick The 1,2,3 Handicap Hurdle. Whilst Hobbs is without a runner, Dennis has opted for the progressive Lostock Hall, a winner here in August, who could well strike again.
Daulys Anthem, beaten a nose by Show’s Over also at the course in August, ran well at Warwick last time out, and may get his reward in the toteswinger Three Ways To Win Handicap Chase to give trainer Dennis another success.
Five winners at Chepstow over the weekend saw champion trainer Paul Nicholls take over top spot in this season’s table as he looks to land his 11 title. He has just one runner at Stratford, saddling Clic Work in the following @totepoolracing Follow Us On Twitter "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle.
But, on form, he could struggle to beat point-to-point winner Breath Of Blighty, trained at Mollington by Paul Webber.
Great Alne trainer Robin Dickin seems to have found the key to Wildmoor Boy and he may land a hat-trick in the concluding totepool Racing´s Biggest Supporter Lady Riders´ Handicap Hurdle.
