Majestic start for Appleby and Buick at Newmarket

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Charlie Appleby and William Buick got this year’s Craven meeting at Newmarket off to the perfect start as Majestic Pride justified favouritism in the bet365 British EBF Conditions Stakes.

The reigning champion trainer and jockey invariably prove a formidable combination on the Rowley Mile and Majestic Pride was a 2-1 market leader for his first start since winning at Chelmsford in November.

The Shamardal colt was being niggled at with over two of the seven furlongs still to run, but responded to Buick’s urgings to grab the lead and was always doing enough from racing out of the dip to hold the challenge of Holguin at bay, with a neck separating the pair at the line.

Majestic Pride holds an entry for the Qipco 2000 Guineas on May 6, but Appleby does not currently consider him a contender for the season’s first Classic.

He said: “This horse has been on the runners list for a few weeks, so I didn’t think he was going to lack for fitness today.

“He’s a horse, that with the ground being on the slow side as it is out there, all his family go on it, even though he’s by Shamardal.

“Going forward, I’ll speak to William but I don’t think he’s a Guineas horse.

“We’ll probably look at the race back here – the King Charles II (May 5) over seven furlongs.”

Rebel Territory (right) leads the way at Newmarket
Rebel Territory (right) leads the way at Newmarket (Tim Goode/PA)

Amanda Perrett’s Rebel Territory (7-2) also obliged for favourite backers in the National Stud Handicap, getting the better of Vafortino by half a length in the hands of Jim Crowley.

“He’s a super horse but he’s a little bit ground dependent,” said Perrett.

“He was tending to over-race over a mile last year, so dropping to seven furlongs really suited.

“I think we’ll look at the Victoria Cup if the ground is soft enough, then maybe go back to Goodwood.”

The finish to the Close Brothers Handicap was dominated by Yorkshire trainers with David O’Meara’s 11-1 shot Bopedro narrowly outpointing John Quinn’s 7-2 market leader Empirestateofmind, while the Roger Fell-trained Toshizou pipped Charlie Johnston’s Dutch Decoy to third.

“It was very heavy ground at Doncaster (when sixth in the Lincoln) and ours are needing a run this season and it’s put him right. He ran well enough I thought,” said O’Meara.

“He travelled nicely, met a little bit of traffic before he finished off well enough. His owner, Lee Bond, told me to leave the blinkers off today as it might freshen him up and that has clearly worked.

“There are lots of nice races at York, Ascot and Goodwood for him – there’s a great programme for these milers. That was good today.”

James Tate has his eye on bigger things having seen Blue Storm (8-1) enhance the fine start made by first-season sire Blue Point in the Pat Smullen Memorial British EBF Novice Stakes.

“It’s my first two-year-old winner of the year and when they hit the mark at Newmarket you just feel a bit better,” said the winning trainer.

“We always picked him to be an early type, he’s bred to be early and he’s not the biggest. He hasn’t had any setbacks at all so we thought we would get him started early but mine normally improve for the run first time so I was impressed with him.

“Obviously you don’t really know what he’s done and what he’s beaten but I couldn’t ask for much more really.

“He’s very professional so I will be targeting the early black type races. I’m thinking the National Stakes and races like that, so we will just look at those targets and work back from there.”

James Evans’ Dream Composer was a neat winner of the Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap at 9-2 under Dougie Costello.

The gelding was ridden in the middle of the group by the rail and was travelling best of all when the field merged and hit the two-furlong marker.

A furlong from home he was asked to quicken and responded well, pulling away to cross the line half a length ahead of 16-1 shot Spring Bloom.

Guineas hope Sakheer sparkles in Newmarket spin

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Roger Varian is counting down the days until the Qipco 2000 Guineas with Sakheer after his exciting colt enjoyed a “perfect” workout at Newmarket on Tuesday.

A narrowly beaten second on his racecourse debut at Windsor last summer, the son of Zoffany went one better with a six-length success at Haydock before dominating the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

With Varian deciding against giving his three-year-old a run in any of this week’s Guineas trials, Sakheer instead took to the Rowley Mile for a gallop in company with an older sprinting stablemate.

After initially taking a lead, Sakheer extended clear in the hands of David Egan, leaving Varian suitably satisfied ahead of the season’s first Classic in less than three weeks’ time.

Sakheer after working at Newmarket on Tuesday
Sakheer after working at Newmarket on Tuesday (Nick Robson/PA)

“It was perfect to be honest. It was not meant to be a gut-busting work, but it got him a nice blow and he had a day away from home,” said the trainer.

“He got to experience the undulations, he was very well balanced through the work, he came out of the dip nicely, it was a bridle work but it was a strong work and he’ll come nicely forward from it.

“It was part of his schedule and he’s got a strong two weeks ahead of him. He’d only been here once before, so it was nice to give him experience of it.”

An unsatisfactory scope meant Sakheer missed an intended appearance in the Dewhurst in October, which would have at least answered some questions about his stamina.

As it is he will line up over the straight mile in the Guineas having not yet raced beyond six furlongs and Varian admits only time will tell whether he will stay the longer distance.

He added: “We are as confident as we can be and he’s bred to get the trip, even beyond a a mile. He was strong through the line in all of his starts, but he never ran further than six furlongs, so we won’t truly know until the Guineas because he is a quick horse.

“If he gets home he could be a very good miler, if he doesn’t we know we’ve got options back in trip. We wouldn’t be running him if we didn’t think he had a strong chance of getting a mile, but it won’t be proven until two weeks on Saturday.

“He’s got loads of ability and I thought he looked lovely today. He shows it at home but it’s nice to see it on a racecourse.

“He is a good horse, he looked it last year and looks it again this year. We’re not going to test him over a mile until the Guineas, so that is when we’ll find out.”

Sakheer after winning the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury
Sakheer after winning the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury (PA)

Varian was also pleased to see Sakheer apparently handling the rain-softened ground, adding: “I didn’t ask David about the ground but it looked to me as if he was fine on it.

“He’s been trained for the Guineas. If it was soft, combined with the trip, they are the two things he hasn’t encountered, but it’s been his target all year and if he’s fine I’m sure he’ll be here.

“He looks very good, but we’ve got to work out what his best conditions are.”

Another Varian-trained colt who could yet earn himself a tilt at Classic glory is Charyn.

Third behind Sakheer in the Mill Reef, the Dark Angel colt subsequently won a Group Two in France and will test his Guineas credentials in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

“It is testing his water to see where he stands. He’s a different type, he’s very laid back and he needs a race,” said Varian.

“He’s also in the Newmarket Guineas and also in at the Curragh (Irish 2,000 Guineas). The Greenham will give is a guide. He’s a good horse, I like him.”

Varian also reported his St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov to be “in great form” ahead of a planned reappearance in next month’s Yorkshire Cup, with the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot his primary objective.

Blanchland seeking to establish Derby credentials

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Jane Chapple-Hyam is dreaming of the Betfred Derby with Blanchland ahead of his return in the bet365 Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.

The son of Farhh finished in midfield at Newbury on debut, but played a central role in his next three outings at two, beating some useful operators when getting off the mark at Newcastle.

Owned by leisure entrepreneur Peter Harris, the colt was last seen finishing second over 10 furlongs in the Zetland Stakes last October and Chapple-Hyam has been encouraged to see the horse in third on that occasion, Dear My Friend, come out and frank the form by winning the Burradon Stakes.

Blanchland (left) on the way to finishing second in the Zetland Stakes
Blanchland (left) on the way to finishing second in the Zetland Stakes (Tim Goode/PA)

“We’re looking forward to it,” said Chapple-Hyam.

“He’s trained and wintered well. He’s grown and matured and we’re very pleased with how he’s taken to the early spring. We always like to see form boosted and Newcastle was good to see from the horse that finished third (in the Zetland).

“Blanchland knows the track and has trained over there in his gallops and we’re looking forward to it. The Epsom Derby is the goal but we have to come through Wednesday first.”

The Clarehaven team of John and Thady Gosden have won this Listed event three times in the last 10 years, including with subsequent Derby hero Golden Horn in 2015.

This time they field Intinso, who looked a talented prospect when registering a three-and-a-quarter-length success at Newcastle on debut.

“He won what looked a fairly poor race but he won it quite comfortably,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Intinso’s owner, Imad Al Sagar.

“He’s wintered well and been very straightforward coming up to this. John has been pleased with him, he’s a lovely actioned horse and this looks a good spot to test his credentials.”

There is strong Godolphin representation in the form of Bold Act – who is attempting to extend a four-race winning run following his recent win at Chelmsford – and stablemate Regal Honour.

Bold Act ridden by William Buick wins the Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Nursery during day one of the Cambridgeshire Meeting at Newmarket Racecourse
Bold Act ridden by William Buick wins the Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Nursery during day one of the Cambridgeshire Meeting at Newmarket Racecourse (Mike Egerton/PA)

Both have course victories to their name and have the chance to play their way into Classic contention for Charlie Appleby.

“Bold Act was last seen winning at Chelmsford. He’s won his last four starts and has progressed into the type who deserves to be pitched in at this level,” the Moulton Paddocks handler told www.godolphin.com.

“Regal Honour has course experience, being placed and also winning on the Rowley Mile. On pedigree, stepping up in trip should suit him.”

James Ferguson’s Canberra Legend has just the one start to his name but could not have been more impressive when stylishly opening his account at Newcastle in February, while Kolsai landed a competitive maiden on the Rowley Mile in the autumn and Roger Varian is optimistic he can make his presence felt in what is a strong line-up of colts.

“We’re dipping our toe into the Feilden and it looks a strong race,” said Varian.

“He’s a nice colt and he did nothing wrong last year. He was runner-up on his debut and then probably won a reasonable novice event at Newmarket in the autumn – those races usually work out.

“He’s stepping up two furlongs but we think he will stay. It looks a field full of lovely colts loaded with potential. Hopefully our guy fits into that category and we will see how we fare before making any future plans.”

Ralph Beckett’s Captain Wierzba, beaten the best part of 10 lengths in the Vertem Futurity in October, Galactic Jack (Andrew Balding) and Killybegs Warrior (Charlie Johnston) complete the field.

Hurricane Lane primed for Newbury return

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Hurricane Lane is set to make his return to competitive action at Newbury this weekend after delighting trainer Charlie Appleby in a racecourse gallop at Newmarket.

The son of Frankel enjoyed a fantastic three-year-old campaign in 2021, winning the Dante Stakes, Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger, as well as being placed in the Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Much was expected of Hurricane Lane last season, but he made it the racecourse on only two occasions, with a comeback third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot followed by a disappointing performance in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

But after seeing the five-year-old draw clear of a stablemate in a seven-furlong workout under William Buick on Tuesday morning, Appleby is confident the entire can bounce back to his best, with Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes – better known as the John Porter – his intended starting point.

“I’m pleased with that. We brought him up here purposely with the ground being good to soft, soft as we know he is a horse that is proven on that surface,” said the Moulton Paddocks handler.

“His three-year-old career, I don’t have to tell anyone about that, but his four-year-old career ended up being disappointing. He ran a creditable race in the Hardwicke Stakes on ground that was quick. We thought we got away with it to be honest with you.

“We then went to the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the ground wasn’t where we thought it was. It was quick enough that day and he ran a disappointing race.

“We purposely left it there and thought we’d give the horse every chance. The one thing I wanted to make sure starting this year was that he was starting on ground with soft in the description. I don’t want any excuses.

“If the horse were not to turn up, you would have to accept that the horse did what he did as a three-year-old at the highest level and that was that – but on the evidence of what we have seen at home this year, we have been very pleased with him as a physical and just in his demeanour, and I think he has shown you guys out there this morning he has let himself down there.

“The plan is to take a look at Newbury on Saturday with the ground being there to suit him.”

While Hurricane Lane holds several Group One entries, Appleby confirmed the Arc will again be his major target, adding: “The only reason this horse has stayed in training is to work back from an Arc.

Adayar winning the 2021 King George at Ascot
Adayar winning the 2021 King George at Ascot (Nigel French/PA)

“I want to make sure we tick all the right boxes and give him the best opportunity to get there. I don’t want to be there mid-season running on ground he doesn’t want and then telling myself I’ve made a mistake.

“The Arc is our long-term plan and he will be campaigned accordingly around that.”

Appleby also provided an upbeat bulletin on the progress of his 2021 Derby hero Adayar, who remains on course to make his return in the Gordon Richard Stakes at Sandown on Friday week.

He said: “Adayar is in great form and he has been over to Waterhall (gallop) and done all our preparations pre-season and he has delighted us over there.

“His target is the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. We go to Sandown with it very much as a trial, but I would be disappointed if this horse is not a big player there.

Charlie Appleby is looking forward to the return of Adayar
Charlie Appleby is looking forward to the return of Adayar (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We are very much on the front foot this season as this time last year, unfortunately our dream had gone for the first half of the season, which became frustrating watching all those good races go by.

“He showed that he was worth our patience at the back end there winning at Doncaster, which was more of an organised gallop, before running a courageous race to finish second in the Champion Stakes on ground that we know is not his ideal.

“We are very much looking forward to Sandown next week.”

Appleby is keen for Adayar to win a Group One over 10 furlongs to go with his Derby and King George wins over a mile and a half to enhance his future value at stud.

“To start with he will be campaigned over a mile and a quarter because of his stallion CV. In this day and age, they want to see a bit more speed on the page,” he added.

“What he achieved in his three-year-old career, winning the Derby and King George, was fantastic and everyone was delighted. From a commercial point of view, everyone would like to see that mile and a quarter stamped.

“I think it is a trip that is well within his compass – he has always been a very strong traveller in his races.

“Epsom and Ascot were fantastic results for the horse and the team, but I’m pretty confident he will be putting a Group One 10-furlong tag around his neck this year.”

Head excited to tackle French Guineas with Blue Rose Cen

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Christopher Head is relishing the prospect of securing Classic honours with Blue Rose Cen, who cemented her place as favourite for the French 1000 Guineas with an authoritative display in the Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

The daughter of Churchill made a splash for the handler during her two-year-old season, providing the the son of Freddy Head with his first Group One success when striking in style on Arc day in the Prix Marcel Boussac.

That impressive five-length success in her final start at two outlined her credentials for the May 14 Classic and she continued her love affair with the French capital’s signature racecourse on her three-year-old return, making all in the hands of Aurelien Lemaitre.

She was quickly shortened to 2-1 favourite from 11-4 by Paddy Power for the Poule d’Essai Des Pouliches and Head confirmed a return to the Paris track would be Blue Rose Cen’s next port of call before potentially stretching out to 10 furlongs for a crack at the Prix de Diane.

“She’s really a fine filly,” said the trainer. “She was very powerful as a two-year-old and now starting her three-year-old season, I’m very happy with her.

“For us in France, the Prix de la Grotte is the main race you need to win to be able to have a fair chance in the Guineas and now we need to wait for potential opponents from across the Channel, but I’m really confident about our filly.

“She has been strong-minded from the beginning and she knows everything. We are just high in the sky with her right now and we can’t wait to try her in the French Guineas. Longchamp looks like her favourite racecourse.

“Then we will see in the Prix de Diane if she stays 2,000 metres.”

Dettori kicks off final British campaign at Newmarket

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Frankie Dettori could be the star of the show on the opening day of Newmarket’s Craven meeting as he begins his final domestic campaign in the saddle.

The evergreen Italian announced his intention to hang up his boots following one last season in December and has since embarked on something of a world tour, spending Christmas and the early part of 2023 riding in the United States, with fleeting appearances at events such as the Saudi Cup and Meydan’s World Cup night.

He is now back in Newmarket as this season’s Classic contenders prepare to step out in the various trials and Dettori could hit the ground running on day one of three on the Rowley Mile.

The 52-year-old’s first taste of the action will be in the Close Brothers Handicap where he will don the royal blue silks of Godolphin aboard John and Thady Gosden’s Unforgotten, while he looks to have a fine chance of getting on the scoreboard with hot Clarehaven prospect Covey in the Alex Scott Maiden Stakes.

The Frankel colt bumped into the Greenham-bound Zoology when going down by a neck on debut at Southwell and Barry Mahon, of owners Juddmonte, believes he could develop into a smart colt this term.

He said: “You don’t expect to run into a 90-something rated horse in a novice at Southwell, but unfortunately he bumped into one.

“He ran Zoology all the way to the line, it was a big run and hopefully he can improve.

“I think he can be a very nice horse. He has always been a very impressive physical, he was just a bit immature last year.

“He was prone to respiratory infections and a couple of times when he was close to the races, he would give a few coughs and he just never made it to the track for that reason. I do think he can develop into a nice colt.”

On the return of Dettori, Mahon added: “The main man is back from California. He has had a good winter out there and rode plenty of winners and hopefully he is looking forward to being back here and getting going again.”

In the bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes – the feature of the seven-race card – Dettori will partner the King’s Reach For The Moon as he makes his return.

Frankie Dettori will again ride Reach For The Moon - here winning The bet365 EBF Novice Stakes at Newbury Racecourse
Frankie Dettori will again ride Reach For The Moon – here winning The bet365 EBF Novice Stakes at Newbury Racecourse (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Once thought of as a Derby candidate, the Gosden-trained four-year-old has been gelded over the winter following an interrupted 2022 which saw the son of Sea The Stars hit the track on just three occasions.

He reappears sporting first-time blinkers with connections looking forward to the run.

“We are pleased with how Reach For The Moon has wintered and we are hoping for a bold show,” said the King’s racing manager John Warren.

Simon and Ed Crisford’s unbeaten Poker Face is the likely favourite for the Group Three contest, but it is no surprise that the first meeting of the year at Newmarket sees strong Godolphin representation in the form of Charlie Appleby’s course winner Ottoman Fleet and stablemate Blue Trail.

“Ottoman Fleet ran very consistently in Dubai, being placed in all his starts, and he’s come back in great shape. He’s a past winner on the Rowley Mile and he’s got to have a good chance.” the Moulton Paddocks handler told www.godolphin.com.

“Blue Trail was last seen winning emphatically by 11 lengths at Meydan and we know he’s a horse with an engine. If he can put it all together, he has the ability to win a race such as this.”

Newbury reappearance possible for Mojo Star

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Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star could make his reappearance in what is shaping up to be a high-class Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Runner-up in both the Derby and St Leger during his Classic season, he has been off the track since finishing second in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last year – his sole start at four.

He was due to return in the Further Flights Stakes at Nottingham last week, but having skipped that Colwick Park assignment on account of deteriorating ground, the Amo Racing-owned five-year-old could begin his march back to the Royal meeting in this 12-furlong Group Three.

“We did want to start him off at Nottingham, but I think we saw there with Trueshan getting beat and how bad the ground was, we made the right decision to not go there – we were happy to swerve that one,” said Tom Pennington, Amo’s racing and operations manager.

A maximum of 11 will go to post for the race better known as the John Porter and other notable names amongst the possibles include Charlie Appleby’s pair of Yibir and Hurricane Lane.

The latter accounted for Mojo Star when scooping Classic honours at Doncaster as a three-year-old, but Pennington is keen to point out that Amo’s son of Sea The Stars is a top operator in his own right and will always be facing off against stiff opposition.

He continued: “We’ve got to start somewhere and he’s that good of a horse, operating at a high level, that we’re always going to bump into one or two and we can’t be afraid of anyone.

Former St Leger winner Hurricane Lane is a possible for the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury
Former St Leger winner Hurricane Lane is a possible for the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Richard’s happy with him and as I’ve said before, this is a stepping stone to Royal Ascot and the Gold Cup and then those nice staying targets in the summer.

“We just need to get a run under his belt now. He’s been off the track for over 300 days and we just need to get the cobwebs blown away and get him back on track.”

Owners Godolphin are again well represented amongst the 22 entries for the Dubai Duty Free Stakes – also known as the Fred Darling – where Appleby’s Fairy Cross and John and Thady Gosden’s Bridestones will put their 1000 Guineas aspirations to the test.

Amo Racing are also double-handed in the race with Olivia Maralda potentially making her debut for Roger Varian and Magical Sunset bidding to build on an impressive course-and-distance success in the Radley Stakes in her final start at two.

Magical Sunset struck Listed gold at Newbury
Magical Sunset struck Listed gold at Newbury (Neil Morrice/PA)

“Olivia Maralda has been working well for Roger and he has been very pleased with her,” added Pennington.

“This has been her target all along but if that rain materialised Thursday/Friday, I would be worried because it is already soft, heavy in places now. She wouldn’t want it that extreme I wouldn’t think, so we’ll have to assess that nearer the time.

“Magical Sunset loves that ground – it was heavy when she won the Radley Stakes and she seems to thrive on it. She is a much better filly on it, so it will be a nice starting point for her.”

Of the remainder, Lowther Stakes one-two Swingalong (Karl Burke) and Queen Me (Kevin Ryan) could make the trip down from Yorkshire, with Small Oasis a possible Irish raider for Jessica Harrington.

Sakheer to have racecourse gallop ahead of Guineas date

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Sakheer will head straight to the Qipco 2000 Guineas with connections deciding against running in a red-hot edition of the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury.

Roger Varian’s impressive Mill Reef winner was in line for a return to the Berkshire track at the start of his Classic season, but the prospect of testing conditions for the seven-furlong contest has seen the Carlburg Stables handler decide to complete Sakheer’s Guineas preparations closer to home.

A general 8-1 shot for the opening Classic of the season on May 6, he is set for a Rowley Mile reconnaissance mission via a racecourse gallop.

“He’s in good form and we’re very happy with him,” said Varian.

“I think the Newbury ground this weekend will be very testing and I’m not sure he is quite ready for that, but he can have a nice gallop not far from home and hopefully that will bring him on a notch. We are 19 days out from the Guineas as we stand and we’re very happy with his condition.”

The son of Zoffany – who is owned by the KHK Racing Ltd operation that tasted Classic success with Eldar Eldarov last season – raced three times at two, all at six furlongs.

However, if Sakheer is to add to both his trainer and owner’s Classic haul, he will need to prove he stays an extra two furlongs – something Varian cannot be certain about until he is put to the test under race conditions.

“We don’t really know about a mile, truth be told,” he continued. “We hope he gets a mile but he’s never raced beyond six and he’s been very good over six.

“He’s bred to get a mile and we’re going to ask that question of him. We have options over shorter – Commonwealth Cups and Prix Jean Prats – should the mile be beyond him from a stamina point of view.

“I think on pedigree he has every chance of getting a mile and none of us will really know until he runs. You can get an idea at home, but it’s really under race pressure and race circumstances that you really know if they get home or not.”

Marshman powers home in Prix Sigy return

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Marshman made a smart start to his campaign with a front-running victory in the Prix Sigy at Chantilly.

Impressive in winning his first two starts at Ayr and Thirsk last summer, the Nick Bradley Racing-owned colt went on to fill the runner-up spot in the Gimcrack Stakes at York before rounding off his juvenile year by finishing fifth when favourite for the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Karl Burke’s charge was a warm order to make a successful reappearance at Group Three level in France and dominated from the outset in the hands of Clifford Lee.

Wodao, trained by Donnacha O’Brien did his best to bridge the gap in the latter stages of the five-and-a-half-furlong contest but Marshman was well on top at the line, prompting Paddy Power to trim his odds for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot to 9-1 from 16-1.

Bradley confirmed the son of Harry Angel is likely to have one more run before heading to the showpiece meeting in Berkshire.

He said: “The season starts here really for us, so it’s nice to get off to a good start.

Clifford Lee speaks to Nick Bradley at Beverley
Clifford Lee speaks to Nick Bradley at Beverley (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Karl has been pretty positive all spring. He’s put the odd average piece of work in, but other than that he couldn’t have been any better.

“I thought he was a certainty today and he won like one. He got a little bit lonely at the end and the only danger was if he got tired on the ground, but we got away with it.

“We’ll look at the Sandy Lane at Haydock or the Duke of York Stakes next and then we’ll head for the Commonwealth Cup.”

Light leads 31 contenders for Scottish National honours

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Ante-post favourite Kitty’s Light is among 31 horses to stand their ground following the confirmation stage for Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National.

Runner-up to stablemate Win My Wings in the Ayr marathon 12 months ago, the Christian Williams-trained seven-year-old is well fancied to go one better after winning the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February.

With Grand National hero Corach Rambler unsurprisingly taken out, the weights are now headed by Nicky Henderson’s Dusart on 12st, with Threeunderthrufive next on the list for Paul Nicholls with a weight of 11st 7lb.

Corach Rambler’s Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell has a couple of chances in her bid to complete the National double, with 2021 winner Mighty Thunder and Your Own Story both in the mix.

The four remaining Irish-trained contenders are Gordon Elliott’s Gevrey, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Malina Girl, Liz Doyle’s Flash De Touzaine and Waitnsee for John Ryan.

Other hopefuls include Jonjo O’Neill’s Monbeg Genius, Sandy Thomson’s pair of Empire Steel and Flower Of Scotland and Chris Gordon’s Coolvalla, whose only defeat in six starts this season came when pulled up in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

Having seen his charge swiftly bounce back with victory at Exeter, Gordon is hoping to send him on the long journey north this weekend, provided conditions are suitable.

Chris Gordon could saddle Coolvalla in the Scottish Grand National
Chris Gordon could saddle Coolvalla in the Scottish Grand National (David Davies/Jockey Club)

“Coolvalla has been a wonderfully progressive horse. We chucked him in at Cheltenham for a fun day out, but just went in too deep there,” said the trainer.

“The great thing was he came back and won a nice race at Exeter. He has been a wonderful horse for us all.

“He’s rated 135. I chucked him in the Whitbread (bet365 Gold Cup) and in the Scottish National, but he does want a bit of cut in the ground and it does say it is a drying week. If it was run on Monday, the ground would be perfect for him.

“Most of last week they said it would be dry, but it rained every day, so we’ll see what this week holds.”

Elvis Mail, Manothepeople, Undersupervision and Flash Collonges are other leading contenders.