Webber keen on Laskari chance

A week of dry weather has come to the rescue of Paul Webber as he prepares to saddle Laskari in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton tomorrow.

The 10-year-old has been in the form of his life this season, having won at Kempton and Doncaster before the turn of the year before running solid races in defeat on his last two starts.

Webber always doubted his ability to stay three miles but having proved his stamina, the ground has dried up just in time.

“The ground is going to be right for him,” said Webber.

“I see they make Big Fella Thanks favourite but we ran a very good race behind him at Doncaster last time when the ground was too soft.

“We have dropped 1lb for that so who knows. If there is half a length in it at the end we’ll be pleased that we ran him at Doncaster.

“In the past we were worried about him staying three miles and that was probably why he got beaten by Fleet Street there over Christmas, if we’d been more positive he might have won.

“Now we can ride him handier and more positive, I think he’ll get further than three miles in time.

“He’s really improved this year. He’s shot up the weights as a result but sometimes they go on a run and off they go. He might struggle next year though.”