Cheltenham beckons for Glasker Mill
The premier race for novice stayers has long been the aim for the seven-year-old, who will join stablemates Racing Demon and Ringaroses among others at Prestbury Park in March.
After being injured at owner Trevor Hemmings’ home during the summer, the son of Old Vic was having his first start for 293 days but fitness never became an issue as he raced to a three-and-a-half-length win.
The Timmy Murphy-ridden 3-1 shot jumped well and quickened in good style after taking the lead over the last for a snug call over Dancing Bay.
Knight said: “He was late coming back to us and the trip (two miles two furlongs) would have been short enough as he is a three-miler really. He is a tough horse, a good jumper and he has a big heart.
“The SunAlliance has always been the plan and we have always held him in high regard. He goes on any ground but is probably better on decent ground.
“I would like him to run one more time before Cheltenham to gain some more experience.”
Venetia Williams’ excellent run of form continues and the Herefordshire handler added another two winners to her seasonal tally, taking her total to 48.
Schuh Shine was first off the mark when landing a hat-trick of wins over timber with a bold display in the Crown Racing Novices’ Hurdle.
The 10-year-old has been placed to advantage over the smaller obstacles and took his third race on the bounce as the 4-9 favourite.
The grey strode on at halfway in the three-mile-three-furlong event and despite getting tired in the closing stages, he had opened up a sufficient advantage to hold The Risky Viking by three-quarters of a length.
Heez A Dreamer gave Williams her second success with a bloodless victory in the £12,000 Crown Racing Freephone 08000 724 624 Novices’ Chase.
His market rival and 4-5 favourite Classified departed at the fourth-last, leaving the 11-8 shot to fight out the finish with Professor Jack, only for that rival to fall two out.
Thomas then only had to guide the seven-year-old over the final obstacle to collect by 24 lengths.
Classified’s jockey Timmy Murphy made up for his tumble as Isle De Maurice (15-8) followed up his Plumpton victory of last week in the Crown Racing ’Your Best Bet’ Handicap Hurdle.
JP McManus’ Wipe Your Eye was turned over as the 8-11 favourite in the Crown Racing ’Stars Of The Future’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, with Carl Llewellyn’s Kid Charlemagne hacking up by eight lengths.
