Al Agaila on hat-trick trail in Winter Oaks feature

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Al Agaila bids to complete her hat-trick in the talkSPORT Winter Oaks at Lingfield on Saturday.

Following three placed efforts last summer, Simon and Ed Crisford’s filly bolted up when opening her account at Kempton last month before following up in similarly impressive style in the Winter Oaks Trial over this course and distance just before Christmas.

An 11lb hike makes life significantly tougher, but a bold bid can nevertheless be expected in the £100,000 all-weather feature of Lingfield’s Winter Million Festival.

“She went up 11lb for her win last time out, when she won very impressively. She’s an improving filly, but 11lb is a big hike,” said Ed Crisford.

“She has a good draw (stall two). It’s a big step up, but if she can carry the 11lb extra then I’m sure she’s capable of better things.

“She’s potentially an exciting filly.”

The Harry Eustace-trained Makinmedoit was beaten two and a half lengths into second place by Al Agaila little over four weeks ago and does have a significant pull at the weights.

“Makinmedoit has been a star really and just keeps on improving,” said Eustace.

Makinmedoit (red cap) chases home Al Agaila at Lingfield
Makinmedoit (red cap) chases home Al Agaila at Lingfield (Zac Goodwin/PA)

“We’re 10lb better at the weights with the Crisford horse, which probably won’t be enough, but we came from a long way back that day and there’s less runners this time round, which is extraordinary given the prize-money.

“If we could just sit a bit closer, you never know.”

Eustace has a second string to his bow in At A Pinch, who has not run on the Flat since 2021 but is fit from a recent spell over obstacles.

Eustace added: “With At A Pinch, the money was just too good not to roll the dice with her. She was bought to be a hurdler, but she’s got Flat form and there’s no reason why she can’t run a race.

“I was actually looking at the prize-money for Cheltenham the other day and if she was the very best hurdler we had going there, she’d be running for £125,000 added prize-money and she can run for £100,000 added in an eight-runner fillies’ handicap, so we’ll just see how we go.

“It’s extraordinary there’s less runners this time round than for the trial race a month ago. Everyone moans about prize-money, they put it on and no one goes for it, but there we are.”

Another trainer firing a twin assault is Charlie Fellowes, with top-weight Purple Ribbon joined by stablemate Tequilamockingbird.

Purple Ribbon steps back into a fillies’ handicap after finishing second to the highly-rated Belloccio in the Listed Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton in November, while Tequilamockingbird was only a short head behind Makinmedoit when third in the Winter Oaks Trial.

“Purple Ribbon is a very lightly-raced filly, but she’s very consistent. Barring an unfortunate run around Lingfield, she’s not finished out of the first two,” said Fellowes.

“She ran a blinder last time out in a pretty competitive Listed race. She’s got the class in the race, but she has to give weight away to everyone, which will be tough.

“But she’s a pretty good filly and I’ve got no concerns about the drop back to 10 furlong as she’s got plenty of speed, so I’m looking forward to seeing her run.

“Tequilamockingbird is a model of consistency and has a very good record around Lingfield – 10 furlongs around there is literally perfect for her.

“She was a bit unlucky last time out when they went absolutely no gallop and off a stronger pace, she goes in there with a nice each-way squeak.”

Charlie Fellowes is delighted with the prize-money on offer at Lingfield
Charlie Fellowes is delighted with the prize-money on offer at Lingfield (Mike Egerton/PA)

Fellowes was keen to give praise to Lingfield’s owners Arena Racing Company for putting on such huge prize-money at a time when owners are struggling to resist huge offers from abroad.

He added: “You’ve got to give all credit to ARC. It’s prize-money like this that will encourage people to keep horses in training and Tequilamockingbird is a perfect example of that, as she was due to be sold at the mares sale last year and I managed to persuade the owners to remove her from the sale and keep her in training over the winter for a crack at this.

“That is what everyone wants – to see horses kept in training in Britain. We have a fantastic industry and it’s frustrating for a lot of people that the cream of our horses tend to get sold abroad.

“The more of this (prize-money) we can get, the more we can keep horses in training and rebuff these ridiculous offers we’re getting from abroad.

“It’s all down to prize-money and the more money we can offer, the more we can attract our owners to keep horses here and the stronger our industry will be.”

Moore teams up with Boughey quartet as he kicks off British season

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Ryan Moore returns to British action for the first time this year at Lingfield’s Winter Million fixture on Saturday, with four rides for trainer George Boughey.

The leading jockey has enjoyed a well-earned break since riding in Hong Kong last month and Boughey has given him an excellent chance to hit the ground running by providing him with a strong book of rides.

Moore makes his comeback in the opening BetUK’s Acca Club £5 Free Bet Handicap aboard Ehteyat, who carries a 5lb penalty for a comfortable victory at Southwell last Sunday.

Ryan Moore - back in action at Lingfield
Ryan Moore – back in action at Lingfield (Mike Egerton/PA)

The four-year-old is drawn widest of all in stall 10, but Boughey is nevertheless anticipating another bold showing.

He said: “The track probably isn’t to his liking as he’s a big, strong staying type and he’s drawn widest of all, so there’s a few things for Ryan to try to negate.

“But he seems to have come out of Southwell in good shape and the way he hits the line suggests he should stay the two miles pretty well.”

Boughey and Moore team up in the following talkSPORT Powered By Fans Handicap with Pocket The Packet, who has won five times from eight starts since October and gone up 40lb in the ratings as a result.

He is 13lb higher than when triumphing at Lingfield just over a week ago and Boughey admits the handicapper is bound to catch up with him sooner or later.

“I didn’t expect him to do what he did the other day. The race looked to fall apart a bit and he’s got a big hike for winning that,” Boughey added.

“He’s never been a horse that has really expressed himself as an 85-rated horse, but he’s three from three in handicaps at the track and we’ll give it another go.

“He’s a very ordinary work horse – he wouldn’t go past a 50 horse. He’s been a pleasant surprise.”

The Newmarket handler appears more confident about the chances of his final two runners on the card – Paris Lights and All The King’s Men.

Former Jessica Harrington inmate Paris Lights made a successful start for Boughey over the course and distance last month and enters the handicap arena off a mark of 80 in the Huge Daily Boosts Only At BetUK Handicap.

All The King’s Men, meanwhile, is a dual winner in France and makes his debut for the yard in the Spreadex Sports Get £40 In Bonuses Handicap.

Boughey said: “Paris Lights is good and we slightly hoped he’d do what he did on stable debut.

“He was gelded when he came to us and looked good the other day. He looks quite progressive, he’s drawn in the middle and I hope he should run a big race.

“He went up 5lb for his last run and he goes there off a nice mark, I think.

“All The King’s Men was gelded on his arrival at the yard and his work has been good. He’s a half-brother to a Group One performer (Goken), so I think he’s a horse that should give a bold account of himself.

“He’s a horse that will hopefully stay a bit further in time, but this is a nice starting point and his work on the all-weather surfaces at home has been good, so we’re going there in pretty good shape.”

Haydock hoping Saturday card can beat the freeze

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Officials at Haydock have not yet given up hope Saturday’s high-profile fixture will beat the cold snap, with the track deemed raceable on Friday ahead of a planned precautionary inspection at 8am on raceday.

Ascot’s Clarence House Chase card was called off on Thursday and Haydock’s meeting looked to be heading the same way after snow fell on frozen ground on Wednesday night.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright admitted things were “not looking as good as they were” and announced an inspection for noon on Friday.

However, with the snow having cleared, Tellwright was in a more optimistic mood on Friday morning, and therefore cancelled Friday’s inspection and instead called a precautionary check for Saturday.

The Merseyside venue is due to stage four Grade Two events, including The New One Unibet Hurdle and Peter Marsh Chase.

Tellwright said: “We’ve had a good night and we’re in a better place than we expected to be, but in the context of the forecast we’ve put a precautionary in for tomorrow morning.

“The snow on the track has gone and we’re fit to race this morning, so it entirely hinges on the scale of any frost tonight.

“We’re forecast temperatures of between just below zero and minus 2C, which is the difference between success and failure.”

Taunton will inspect at 4pm on Friday
Taunton has been abandoned (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

If Haydock does get the green light, it will be the sole jumps meeting in Britain on Saturday after Taunton’s fixture was abandoned on Friday afternoon.

A precautionary check was initially called for 8am on raceday, but deteriorating conditions prompted a change of plans and the inspection was brought forward to 4pm on Friday.

However, with the course still unraceable and no prospect of sufficient improvement, the fixture was called off shortly after 3pm.

Sunday’s meeting at Fakenham has also been called off due to a frozen track following a 2pm inspection on Friday. Officials were due to check the course on Saturday but brought forward that look as conditions were not improving.

Danny Brock disqualified for 15 years following corruption hearing

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Former jockey Danny Brock has been disqualified for 15 years after a British Horseracing Authority independent disciplinary panel found him in breach of the rules regarding corruption and fraud.

The rider was subject to a BHA disciplinary hearing in December alongside five other individuals who were collectively found to have conspired to profit from Brock’s corruption.

The breaches related to three races on the all-weather between December 2018 and March 2019, though the panel were also asked to consider six further races to highlight the contrast between rides in which Brock was attempting to win the race and occasions on which he was not.

The five other parties were Sean McBride, who is assistant trainer to his father Philip ‘Charlie’ McBride in Newmarket, Luke Olley, Eugene Maloney, Andrew Perring and Luke Howells.

The panel considered there to be an evident pattern between the outcome of the races in question and the betting habits of the other individuals involved in the hearing – with Brock seemingly riding to attain a profitable result for his co-defendants.

An example put forward was a five-furlong contest at Southwell on March 7, 2019, when Brock was aboard Samovar and his co-defendants had collectively staked a five-figure sum on the only other runner in the two-horse race, Tricky Dicky.

Samovar dwelt in the stalls and the panel deemed Brock to have been late in removing the horse’s blindfold before making little effort until a furlong from home, with the horse eventually beaten by 10 lengths.

Of the six individuals involved, only McBride chose to cooperate with the hearing and give evidence before the panel, with Brock opting not to take time away from his new career as a greyhound trainer to attend.

McBride was disqualified for seven years, whereas Maloney, Perring and Howells have been excluded since 2020 for failing to cooperate with proceedings and will not have any appeal into that exclusion entertained by the BHA for a period of 15 years.

The panel established that none of Olley’s alleged breaches could be proven but he too has been subject to an exclusion since 2020 for failing to comply with the BHA’s investigation when it began.

The horses ridden by Brock in the three races in question have been disqualified and his own disqualification will take effect immediately.

A BHA statement on the matter read: “This welcome outcome sends a powerful message that conduct of this nature will never be tolerated in British racing.

“The conduct of the individuals found in breach in this case risked undermining confidence in our sport and flagrantly disregarded the hard work and dedication of people up and down the country who carry out their duties in good faith.

“It is vital that supporters and bettors have faith in the fairness and integrity of our sport. At the same time, participants must have absolute confidence that they are competing on a level playing field.

“We are grateful to the panel for their diligence in hearing and passing judgement on this important case.”

Energumene against Edwardstone at Ascot lost to the weather

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A mouthwatering clash between Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Energumene and Arkle victor Edwardstone will not take place this weekend after Saturday’s meeting at Ascot was abandoned due to a frozen track.

The two-mile chasing juggernauts were due to lock horns in the Grade One LK Bennett Clarence House Chase, but the Berkshire track has been unraceable since Tuesday morning.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels announced an inspection for 4pm on Thursday to assess the prospects of racing and ultimately had no option but to call off proceedings.

He said: “There was not sufficient improvement, the track remains unraceable and given the forecast and where we are right now, there’s no chance of us being raceable for Saturday.”

Energumene winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase
Energumene winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase (David Davies/PA)

Whether the Clarence House Chase is rescheduled remains to be seen – but Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father Willie, confirmed the intention for Energumene to travel over if the race is switched to a different venue.

“If it is lost we hope it is rescheduled and the plan would still be to go over. It fits in well with his programme,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“He’s in great form, he worked well at the Curragh on Tuesday, he worked well this morning and we’re fit and ready to rock.”

Saturday’s other high-profile fixture at Haydock is also in doubt.

Haydock was hit by snow overnight
Haydock was hit by snow overnight (Nigel French/PA)

The Merseyside venue is due to stage four Grade Two events, including The New One Unibet Hurdle and Peter Marsh Chase, but snow overnight prompted clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright to call a noon inspection on Friday to assess whether racing can go ahead.

He said: “We have had half an inch of snow overnight with a frost, so things are not looking as good as they were.

“We have called an inspection for noon tomorrow and we would need to see the snow gone by then if we are to persevere.

“It depends on which forecast you look at – on the most optimistic it’s just about feasible, but on the most pessimistic we will be beaten.”

Jumps action is also scheduled at Taunton on Saturday, with officials calling an 8am precautionary inspection on raceday.

There will be no turf racing in Britain on Friday – a fourth successive blank day – as Market Rasen called off their card following a noon inspection on Thursday.

The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday and will have the bumper due to feature the exciting Queens Gamble carried forward. A further Ffos Las fixture has also been added to the calendar for January 23.

Destiny has Sidney Banks date at Huntingdon

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Tom Lacey has nominated the Urban Logistics Reit Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle as the next port of call for Ginny’s Destiny as he looks to tee up a shot at the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Having opened his hurdles account in impressive fashion at Warwick on his penultimate start, the son of Yeats was upped to Grade Two company when returning to the track for the Leamington Novices’ Hurdle last weekend.

Sent off 11-2, the seven-year-old ran a fine race to finish second, only giving way to Dan Skelton’s progressive winner Grey Dawning in the closing stages.

Although a juddering error two out did little to help his cause, Lacey believes testing ground was the main reason Ginny’s Destiny was unable to haul in the winner and is now eyeing up a run at Huntingdon on February 9, which could lead to an outing at the Cheltenham Festival a month later.

He said: “I think if the ground might have been a little bit better we might have had a different result, he just didn’t pick up on that really heavy ground.

“I think we’ll probably look at the Sidney Banks and then maybe the Coral Cup. A fast run two-mile-five Coral Cup round Cheltenham might suit him.

“He’s gone up 2lb and is 135 now. He would have got in Tea Clipper’s year (2021), but last year the lowest rated horse was 137, so I think you need to be north of 137 really to get in.”

Ginny's Destiny and connections after winning at Warwick in November
Ginny’s Destiny and connections after winning at Warwick in November (PA)

Lacey rates Ginny’s Destiny as a future chaser, but was also impressed by the way his charge rallied after his mistake at the second last in his recent outing.

“He can’t wait to jump a fence can he,” continued Lacey. “He hit the line strong and fought off the third horse having gone through the second last and flattened it. That would have stopped a lot of horses.

“I don’t see why he won’t get three miles in time, but that’s for further down the road.”

Stablemate Glory And Fortune will revert to hurdles at Newbury on February 11 as he bids to defend his Betfair Hurdle crown.

The eight-year-old struck at 20-1 in the race 12 months ago and having struggled over fences this term, returns to the smaller obstacles at the same price with the sponsors to do the double.

“The Betfair Hurdle is his target,” confirmed Lacey.

“I think we’re in danger of wasting a season if we continue over fences, so we’ll be going to the Betfair and then have a think about Cheltenham.

“It is going to be very hard for first-season novices to get into those sort of races now requiring four runs, so I think if we can get him back on track, I see no reason why he can’t be competitive.”

The Cottage Field Stables handler also provided details on the impending return of Lossiemouth, who hasn’t been seen since finishing fifth behind Stage Star in the 2021 Challow Hurdle.

Stan Sheppard riding Lossiemouth on their way to winning the Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle during the Betfair Tingle Creek Festival at Sandown in 2021
Stan Sheppard riding Lossiemouth on their way to winning the Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle during the Betfair Tingle Creek Festival at Sandown in 2021 (Steven Paston/PA)

Prior to that the eight-year-old had won three on the bounce over hurdles, including the Grade Two Winter Hurdle at Sandown – and with an intended race at Lingfield succumbing to the latest cold snap, the Esher track looks likely to be the venue for his reappearance.

“He’s been plagued with problems and there’s a massive team behind the scenes getting him right – farriers, physios, vets,” explained Lacey.

“He’s made of glass but on his day he’s a very good horse. He will probably go to Sandown on February 4 for £100,000 Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle.”

No stopping Loughnanes again at Wolverhampton

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Mark and Billy Loughnane continued their excellent run of form as they made it seven and six Wolverhampton winners this week respectively at Dunstall Park on Thursday.

The father and son combination teamed up for a Monday double at the Midlands venue, while the 7lb claiming apprentice also enjoyed a winner for Sean Curran to make it a treble on the day.

Together the Loughnanes claimed another two successes at Wolverhampton on Wednesday and wasted no time in adding to their tally on Thursday’s card either, with 13-8 shot Algheed following up last week’s course victory in the opening It’s Time To Turn To talkSPORT Fillies’ Handicap.

Loughnane senior was keen to heap praise on his son, who has now ridden 12 winners since January 5.

Mark Loughnane at Wolverhampton
Mark Loughnane at Wolverhampton (Simon Marper/PA)

“I keep saying it, but it’s just awesome – it’s the best feeling ever,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“Billy rides so well and his confidence is good. I’ve blown him up all the time and I need to stop now because he’s blowing himself up! He can talk and he can ride away.

“The horses are in great form and it’s just great. It’s a proud house and we’ll just keep it level.”

The Worcestershire trainer swiftly doubled up with the Luke Morris-ridden Serenity Rose in the talkSPORT Download The App Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Serenity Rose and Luke Morris in full flight
Serenity Rose and Luke Morris in full flight (Simon Marper/PA)

Second on her last two starts, the three-year-old went one better as the 5-6 favourite.

He went on to complete his hat-trick in the Spreadex Sports Get 40 In Bonuses Classified Stakes, with 8-1 shot Won Love pulling clear of his rivals in the hands of Cam Hardie.

Loughnane added: “His first run for me over six furlongs was good. He’d been running over five furlongs before that and he just wanted to blitz.

“He hasn’t got the best wind in the world and we just want him to relax. The key today was that they went flat out.

“I said to Cam just to keep hold of him and let him finish off and it worked a treat.”

Dettori and Country Grammer aiming for Saudi Cup revenge

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Frankie Dettori has the opportunity for big-race glory on his farewell tour when partnering Country Grammer in the Saudi Cup.

Dettori guided the Bob Baffert-trained six-year-old to Dubai World Cup success last year and was reunited with the son of Tonalist at Santa Anita on Boxing Day, where the Italian began the American leg of his swansong by steering Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes.

Country Grammer will now attempt to go one better than last year’s half-length second to Emblem Road in the the $20million Riyadh Group One and owner Amr Zedan – a successful Saudi Arabian businessman and breeder – is delighted to have the assistance of the 52-year-old as he attempts to win the world’s most valuable race.

Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup
Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup (Neil Morrice/PA)

“Frankie needs no testimony from me,” said Zedan. “He’s been great for the sport in every way – on the horse, off the horse or flying off the horse.

“His accomplishments speak for themselves. He’s a good friend and he will be missed. I hope he reconsiders his retirement by picking up mounts as he chooses over the coming months.”

Reflecting on Country Grammer’s effort in the contest 12 months ago, Zedan added: “It was my first appearance at the Saudi Cup and Country Grammer was an unknown commodity. He showed great tenacity to finish second and we were very proud of him,”

Zedan will also be represented by another Baffert-trained contender on February 25, with Malibu Stakes victor Taiba also in the running for the nine-furlong event.

Also an emphatic scorer at Santa Anita on Boxing Day, his owner hopes the four-time scorer can make his mark over a trip at which he has tasted top-level success previously in both the Pennsylvania and Santa Anita Derby.

He continued: “We really hoped we had something after he won the Santa Anita Derby in April and we always thought he would be the perfect fit for the race going from his three-year-old to his four-year-old year.

“The Saudi Cup was front and centre, we had to see how the rest of the year played out but with me being from Saudi, it was always a priority.

“He’s the kind of horse that works as good as his workmate. He has his own mind but he gives me a heart attack in every race, especially down the backstretch.

“The Malibu was an important race for him as it turned into a bit of a sprint. It was a good call by Bob to put him in the right condition to instigate that kind of speed and it was a good step.

“If you watch the Pennsylvania Derby, he was dropping back and then picked up. Mike Smith knows him well and they are a great combination. He makes Mike work – he was more exhausted than Taiba that day!”

O’Callaghan seeking Meydan heroics from I Am Superman

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Following previous triumphs in Ireland and Australia, I Am Superman bids to win on a third continent in the Zabeel Mile at Meydan.

The son of Footstepsinthesand won once at Leopardstown and twice at Naas as a three-year-old for Michael O’Callaghan before being sent Down Under for a tilt at the 2019 Golden Eagle.

He came up short in that hugely lucrative contest, but remained in Australia with Peter and Paul Snowden and went on to claim two Group Two prizes and was last seen being beaten a head in a Group One at Caulfield in September.

Now back with O’Callaghan, who retained an interest in I Am Superman throughout his Australian spell, the seven-year-old takes on a five-strong Godolphin team in Friday’s Group Two feature.

O’Callaghan said: “We’re delighted to have him back and he’s settled in well since he got to Dubai. He hasn’t ran in four months, but he’s in great form.

“It looks a tidy enough contest and we’re stepping back up to a mile, which I don’t think will be a problem.

“Whatever he does he’ll probably improve a shade from it, but he’s as good as we can get him without having a run, so we’re looking forward to running him.”

Explaining I Am Superman’s journey so far, the trainer added: “We still own him in the same partnership that’s owned him since he was a yearling.

“He was sold to go to Hong Kong as a three-year-old after he won three (races) and he failed the vet for something insignificant, which often happens.

“We thought he was such a decent horse we’d send him to Australia for the prize-money, he won over $750,000 down there and he was beaten a head in a Group One on his last start.

“He’s as good as ever and I was keen to get him home to go pot hunting with him here this year, both in Dubai and in Europe.

“He’s a seven-year-old now and most horses wouldn’t still be improving, but his last run was the best run of his life, so hopefully there’s a good year left with him and we’ll have a bit of fun.”

The highest-rated horse in the field is Master Of The Seas – one of two runners for Charlie Appleby along with Modern News.

Master Of The Seas winning the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket
Master Of The Seas winning the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket (David Davies/PA)

Master Of The Seas won the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket on his only start of 2022 and Appleby is expecting him to improve for his comeback run.

“Master Of The Seas hasn’t been seen since the Earl of Sefton but has settled in well out in Dubai,” the Moulton Paddocks handler told the Godolphin website.

“His preparation has gone well, although we are very much working back from Dubai World Cup night and Super Saturday, so there will be some natural improvement from whatever he does here.

“He looks to be in great order and we are very much looking forward to getting him back on track.

“Modern News is a consistent horse, who showed some decent form in Group and Listed races in the UK last year. He goes into this fit and well, and certainly won’t look out of place in the field.”

Saeed bin Suroor is set to saddle three runners in the Zabeel Mile
Saeed bin Suroor is set to saddle three runners in the Zabeel Mile (Mike Egerton/PA)

Appleby’s fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor saddled Real World to claim the Zabeel Mile 12 months ago and this year launches a three-pronged assault.

Assessing their prospects, he said: “Desert Fire, Land Of Legends and Laser Show have been working well, but this looks a tough race for the three of them.

“Desert Fire has won over this course and distance in the past, so dropping back to a mile won’t be a problem, while Land Of Legends enjoys racing around Meydan.

“Laser Show has had soundness issues, which has kept him off the track for a long time, but I was pleased with his latest piece of work and he is ready to go again.”

David O’Meara’s Shelir and the Ahmad bin Harmash-trained Erzindjan complete the field, having finished third and fourth respectively in the Al Fahidi Fort a fortnight ago.

Harry Eustace’s Cite d’Or carries British hopes in the UAE 1000 Guineas.

The Galiway filly won at Brighton and Beverley last year and rounded off her juvenile campaign with sixth place in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

She makes her first start since in the Listed event on dirt and sets the standard on ratings.

“She’s in good form. I’ve actually visited her myself since she’s been out there and what I’ve seen I’ve been very happy with,” said Eustace.

“The main thing is the dirt is the question mark. If she does handle it she’ll run well and if she doesn’t she won’t basically.

“If we’re in contention after the first three or four furlongs and we’re there turning in she’ll run a race, and if she’s had to work hard for the first half it usually means they’re struggling on the surface, so we’ll see.

“There are other options later on, both on dirt and turf, so in a way this will help us decide where we go next.”

No rush for Red Risk plans after Kempton near-miss

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Connections are hopeful they have found the key to Red Risk after his gallant performance in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.

The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old started at 25-1 for the handicap, in which he was partnered by young conditional Freddie Gingell who eased an 11st 2lb burden with his 7lb claim.

After two miles and five furlongs, Red Risk and Dan Skelton’s West Balboa crossed the line in unison and a photo finish was required to announce the latter horse a short-head winner.

Despite the narrow loss connections are thrilled with their runner, who has not always shown consistency to match his ability but seems to have appreciated a longer gap in between races.

Tom Palin of owners Middleham Park Racing said: “I’m still convinced he won! I was there watching it and I thought he held on, my racecard went flying, I was jumping around like he’d won and then they called the photo.

“We were getting caught up in the emotion of it all, he was 25-1 but we thought he was a big price.

“He’s never really backed up runs consecutively like that, he does have a knack of winning and then disappearing, so we tried something a little different this time and that was leaving him as long as we dare between races.

“That was 49 days since his Newbury win, it seems that that’s the key to him – getting him nice and fresh and really happy at home. It was delight more than anything that the theory was right.

“He was terribly unlucky not to win the race, but he’s run an absolute blinder and everybody would have taken that at the start of the season. We’re delighted we’ve got another nice horse on our hands.”

Red Risk was raised 5lb to 147 for his efforts, but Palin feels his performance warrants some Graded entries further along in the season.

Paul Nicholls' Red Risk
Paul Nicholls’ Red Risk (John Walton/PA)

“He may be between a rock and a hard place, at the very top end of handicaps and maybe just lacking a couple of pounds for Grade Twos,” he said.

“If you took the Relkeel that Marie’s Rock won a few weeks ago, if he was 145 he’d have been entitled to have a go but you kind of have to be around 150 to be in the running.

“He could just be a bit betwixt and between, but he does deserve a place in those in those kind of races.

“Paul’s mentioning the National Spirit at Fontwell on February 16, that might come a bit soon and at Aintree there’s a handicap for him there on the Friday, but he could be a bit high for that.

“There is a Grade Two at Auteuil in June, a week before Royal Ascot, that’s a race I think he could go very well in too.”