Camacho hoping for Riva result

Julie Camacho hopes Rio Riva can defy a low draw in the William Hill Lincoln at Newcastle tomorrow.

The Pivotal gelding had been ante-post favourite for the one-mile cavalry charge, but was eased a touch after being handed what is perceived to be a disadvantageous low berth in stall seven.

Camacho admits she is concerned, but will see what happens in the William Hill-sponsored consolation race before deciding how to combat the situation.

“Obviously we are worried about the draw as ideally we would have liked a high one,” she said.

“I think we’ll watch the Spring Mile and see what they do in that but we’ll think about it and talk it through. At least he’s a hold-up horse so we’re not going to try to jump out and make it on him.”

Although luck apparently deserted the team in Thursday’s draw, Camacho says everything else has fallen nicely into place ahead of Rio Riva’s return to action.

“It’s all gone fine really. We had sort of toyed with Wolverhampton but we weren’t 100% happy with him so we decided to wait for the Lincoln,” she added.

“The fact that he hasn’t run doesn’t bother us as he’s best fresh and he seems well. For him, he’s thickened out quite well but he’s never going to be a big, burly sort of a horse. That’s not his make-up but at least he’s thickened out a bit and he’s had a good break.

“His work’s all gone well and we took him away for a spin last week just to get him away from the yard.”

Norton-based Camacho is looking forward to the challenge at Gosforth Park tomorrow, but is under no illusion as to how difficult it is to strike gold in the Lincoln.

“It’s always competitive and you can make a case for a lot of them to be honest but physically I think he’s improved through the winter,” she said.

“We can make all the plans we want but you need a bit of luck, especially in these big handicaps.”