Master out to turn over a few elder statesmen
At just five years old, the Neil Mulholland-trained gelding has been a revelation this autumn, winning both his starts at Worcester and Cheltenham in progressive fashion.
The Young Masterr has gone up 9lb for his latest success in an amateur riders’ handicap chase at the latter track, but he is at the right end of the weights.
Mulholland has also secured the services of top Irish professional jockey Barry Geraghty.
“Hopefully the track should suit him and the trip,” said the Wiltshire handler.
“He’s come out of his last race very well and he’s racing off a nice weight.
“The bit of rain should have helped him so hopefully he can run a big race.
“I’d like to think there’s some more improvement in him.
“He’s not done anything wrong and hopefully he can make his presence felt.”
David Pipe reports course maestro Standing Ovation cherry ripe in his attempt to repeat last year’s success in this handicap chase on the back of his promising second place behind Roalco De Farges in the Showcase Trophy at Cheltenham.
“He goes well at the track and he likes decent ground. He ran very well at Cheltenham and hopefully he’ll improve a bit for that run,” said the Nicholashayne handler.
Alfie Spinner was second to Standing Ovation 12 months ago and was an encouraging third in that Cheltenham contest last month.
“He came second last year and we’re hopeful of being in the frame again,” said trainer Nick Williams.
“He ran well, he likes the track and the ground should suit.”
Tom George is double-handed with Dare To Endeavour and Ifyousayso, who made giant strides in their first season with the Slad handler.
George said: “They both had good seasons last year.
“Dare To Endeavour won three and Ifyousayso won two.
“Both have gone up the handicap a long way and let’s hope they keep on improving.
“They both were new to me last season and have taken a hike up the handicap. Dare To Endeavour has gone up over 20lb and Ifyousayso has gone up a lot as well.”
Harry Fry admits it is hard to predict what Opening Batsman will do.
It is the eight-year-old’s first run since disappointing in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April.
“We try again with Opening Batsman and your guess is as good as mine quite what will happen. At the end of the day, it’ll be down to him,” the Seaborough handler told his www.stanjames.com blog.
“He’s going to run with the cheekpieces on as the blinkers probably set him alight too much at Sandown last time.
“We said it all last season – we’re happy with what he’s doing at home but we can’t do the talking for him and he’s got to do it on the track now.
“Potentially, if he did decide to put his best foot forward, he’s well handicapped again on his Racing Plus Chase form. He won that off 140 and he runs off 136.
“But, realistically, it wouldn’t surprise me if anything happened with him.”
