Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Setback for Santini
NICKY HENDERSON is “still hopeful” Santini will make the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase — despite a recurrence of the foot problem that threatened to rule him out of Cheltenham.
On Wednesday, Henderson reported “all is well with Santini” after the seven-year-old lost a shoe in a schooling session at Newbury last Sunday.
However, Santini was pushed out to 7-2 for Wednesday’s three-miler after Henderson yesterday said: “Unfortunately he wasn’t as good this morning and the issue has reared its ugly head again.
“We are in a race against time. I am still hopeful we will get there.” ONE FOR ROSIE is fancied to make light of top weight in the Matchbook Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final (1.50) at Sandown.
The winner of a Bangor bumper in October 2017 on his racecourse debut, the Nigel Twiston-davies grey was off track for just over a year before beating Glen Forsa at Carlisle on his hurdles debut.
After a defeat when third at the Cumbrian track nine days before Christmas, the son of Getaway was back in the winner’s enclosure at Warwick last month. Sent off the 7-4 favourite in a field of 10, One For Rosie – ridden by the trainer’s son Sam – drew clear to score by five lengths.
Making his handicap debut this afternoon, my selection should find his BHA rating within range – and a decent test at two and a half miles will certainly help his bid to concede weight all round.
Harry Fry’s team approach the Cheltenham Festival in good form, and
is capable of serving it up to favourite Silver Forever in the mares’ Flat race final (3.00).
Off to a winning start with a six-length margin in a bumper at Southwell at the beginning of December, the daughter of Milan gave best to Yeavering Belle at Warwick second time up.
But, giving the winner 2lb, the one-length runner-up was the best horse at the weights – and Whitehotchillifili has a bright future.
He showed the benefit of a wind operation to score at Warwick on New Year’s Eve, and the Venetia Williams-trained
should give another good account of himself in the Matchbook Handicap Chase (3.35). At Wolverhampton, who ran well in a conditions event over course and distance 33 days ago, looks well weighted in the Lincoln Trial Handicap (2.05). Splitting Silver Quartz and winner Hathal that day was who gets the Nap vote to add to a handicap score at Lingfield last time by capturing the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes (3.15).