King puts visor back on Crystal

Crystal d’Ainay will wear a visor for only the second time over hurdles when he bids for back-to-back victories in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock tomorrow.

Alan King’s versatile stayer sported the headgear when winning this Grade Two event from Monet’s Garden 12 months ago at Kempton.

The dual purpose performer was also fitted with that equipment when fourth to Eurotrek in the totesport Classic Chase at Warwick last month.

“The visor just helps keep him that little bit sharper,” said King.

“He’s run well round Haydock before and he’ll handle the ground all right. I’m hoping for a good run.”

Crystal d’Ainay heads a select field of eight runners that also includes Royal Rosa and Patriarch Express, who were third and fourth last year.

Howard Johnson’s Royal Rosa suffered an injury in the race and it will be his first run for a year, while Patriarch Express ran creditably on his return from injury in the Cleeve Hurdle.

He finished fourth on that occasion and his trainer Sue Smith also has Royal Emperor in the race.

Sh Boom beat Royal Rosa by eight lengths over this course and distance in January 2004 when trained by Jonjo O’Neill.

Shropshire-based handler Steve Brookshaw, who has had the eight-year-old since September, is hoping for a bold show, especially as Sh Boom finished a close second to Ungaro in a competitive handicap at Sandown on his latest start.

“He’s very well and hopefully he’ll keep on improving,” said Brookshaw. “He ran well last time and the form looks like working out OK.

“He’s in two races at Cheltenham (the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and the Pertemps Final) and how he fares tomorrow will give us more of an idea which to go for.

“I’d think we’d all like a bit better ground but we’re looking forward to a good run.”

Nicky Richards is unsure whether this longer trip of two miles seven and a half furlongs suits his runner, The French Furze.

The 12-year-old was well beaten both in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle last season and in the Premier Stayers’ Hurdle here behind Sh Boom two years ago.

“I don’t know if it is his ideal trip. He got two and a half very well round Cheltenham,” the Penrith trainer told williamhillradio.com.

“We’ll go and have a but of fun with the old boy. He seems well in himself and we’ll probably pick up a bit of money somewhere along the line with him.”

The field is completed by Francois Doumen’s French-trained duo of Blue Canyon and Millenium Royal.