Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A ‘wing & a prayer this time
NICKY RICHARDS fears the good ground at Newcastle will count against Baywing as he bids for back-to-back wins in the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase.
A hugely impressive winner of the extended four-mile marathon 12 months ago on heavy ground, Baywing faces completely different conditions at Gosforth Park today.
“There’s no doubt about it, we’d prefer much softer ground for him,” said the Greystoke trainer.
“It’s a very long trip, though – there aren’t many races as long as this, so I hope that will help bring his stamina into play.
“I think we’ll know our fate after a circuit. If he’s able to keep in touch on the first circuit, then he might be able to creep in like last year.
“We know that he’s an exceptional stayer on soft ground – he’s got to prove he can do it in different circumstances.”
Richards also runs Progress Drive for the first time since a wind operation, and he feels the lightly-raced eight-year-old is also cut out for this stamina test.
“This will only be his second run at this kind of trip,” he said.
“He’s a nice horse, and he’s still young in terms of an out-and-out stayer.
“He ran a nice race in the Borders National when he was third - and he was staying on.
“I think he’s just the type for this sort of race.”
Ben Haslam has enjoyed a great season with horses in the famous green and gold colours of J P Mcmanus - including with dual winner Rock On Fruity.
The 10-year-old, previously been trained by Charles Byrnes in Ireland, has thrived on the switch to Haslam’s Middleham yard but must prove his stamina.
“He’s got plenty of speed – he’s won over two and a half,” said Haslam.
“It’s a question of getting him switched off and settled. If he gets into a rhythm and stays, I think he will be competitive.”