Overturn in limbo
The smart dual-purpose performer enjoyed an excellent summer in 2010, winning the Northumberland Plate before reverting to the National Hunt sphere to land the Guinness Galway Hurdle.
After winning the Chester Cup in May, the seven-year-old could manage only sixth when bidding for a Northumberland Plate repeat on his latest start.
McCain must now decide whether to let his charge bid for back-to-back victories at Galway, or step up to Group company for the first time on the Flat in the Artemis Goodwood Cup.
“Obviously both races on the same day so we’re waiting to see what the ground is going to be like and I’ll speak with the owner and make a decision,” said the Cholmondeley handler.
“We want to make sure we make the right choice. Obviously we know what weight we’d have at Galway (11st 10lb) but I need to have a look at the Goodwood race and we’ll leave it as late as we can, because ground matters.”
Meanwhile Pat Flynn remains hopeful the well-fancied Bahrain Storm will make the cut for thetote.com Galway Plate on Wednesday.
The trainer has also given his eight-year-old an entry in the Galway Hurdle 24 hours later as a precaution, but the big chase remains his prime objective.
Flynn said: “There’s quite a few that have entries in both races and I would still be confident (of making the cut).
“The Plate is still the best race to go for and I think he’s fairly well treated. He has everything – he’s laid-back, but brave at the same time.”
Second in the Hurdle 12 months ago, Bahrain Storm has won two of his four starts over fences, most recently at Killarney when beating Echo Bob by three and a half lengths.Flynn’s charge heads the Plate market at 6-1 with a number of firms.
