In-form Mr Mole buries rivals with all-the-way success
Trainer Paul Nicholls has been left scratching his head with the six-year-old on more than one occasion, but a change to forcing tactics has worked the oracle.
Tony McCoy never had to get overly serious with the even-money favourite, who beat Brick Red by two and a quarter lengths.
“I said to AP (McCoy) that if no one wanted to make it (the running) to let him bowl along,” said Nicholls. “He’s been immature and had issues in the past but this time I thought I’d never seen him look better or jump better.
“You wouldn’t know what was left as he was pricking his ears in front.
“I wouldn’t run him in a big-field handicap but without talking to Frank (Berry, owner’s racing manager) he could be the type to run in a four- or five-runner Game Spirit (Newbury).
“If he was fresh you just never know.”
Lizzie Kelly was given a timely boost ahead of her ride on Aubusson in Saturday’s Long Walk Hurdle when winning the Racing Welfare Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on Queen Of The Stage (9-1).
Only with Nick Williams a matter of days, the four-year-old was successful last time out for Robin Dickin.
“I sat nice and handy as I wanted to give her plenty of space,” Kelly told Racing UK.
Philip Hobbs shows no sign of slowing up in his relentless run of hot form and was on the mark with Trickaway (3-1 joint-favourite), winner of the Rewards4Racing – Rewarding Your Passion Handicap Chase. “I hope it’s clicking with him now,” said Hobbs. “He won well the time before, but very few horses win three handicaps in a row.”
Shammick Boy gave the in-form Victor Dartnell another winner as Denis O’Regan guided the 7-2 chance to an easy win in the Connolly’s Red Mills “Precision Nutrition” Handicap Hurdle.
All eyes were on Best Mate’s half-brother Nitrogen in the Download The Free Racing UK App Maiden Hurdle Download The Free Racing UK App Maiden Hurdle but the 5-4 favourite had to make do for second behind Brandon Hill (15-2). “He’d run well in a point-to-point behind Shaneshill so we were hopeful coming here,” said successful trainer Tom Lacy.
