FAYONAGH TRAGEDY
CHAMPION Bumper heroine Fayonagh was killed in a gallops accident yesterday morning.
The rising hurdler had to be put down after breaking her leg during a workout under jockey Davy Russell at trainer Gordon Elliott’s Meath yard.
BARRYS JACK (3.55) can continue Brian Ellison’s fine start to the season in the intermediate hurdle at Carlisle. The gelding has been in cracking form over both fences and timber and did me a nice turn when striking under today’s rider Kaine Wood over course and distance last week.
The seven-year-old races off the same mark today and can complete a hat-trick on the soft going.
Sue Smith’s NEVER UP (2.50) can rise to the challenge in the Racing UK Handicap Chase.
The six-year-old was a useful novice last season and can build on his fine second to Crookstown at Haydock when last seen in May.
BIGIRONONHISHIP (4.25) can show his mettle for Rose Dobbin in the staying handicap chase. The gelding outpointed the useful Beau Bay in a trappy 2m 4f contest at Hexham and should be even better over 3m 2f.
Decent stuff at Ludlow where FLY HOME HARRY (2.30) can soar for Charlie Longsdon in the three-miler.
The eight-year-old ran a blinder behind Orchestrated on his seasonal bow at Fontwell and can go one better with that run under his belt.
DAREBIN (3.00) looks the best bet in a tight novice chase for Gary Moore.
Classy over hurdles, the gelding caught the eye when runner up on his fencing debut over course and distance and can improve for that experience.
Ian Williams’s BANDITRY (4.35) can rob the bookies in the closing handicap hurdle.
The gelding had a respectable record on the level and looks set to be even better over timber after hacking up at Southwell last time.
■ Andrea Atzeni is looking forward to partnering Chilean in Saturday’s Racing Post Trophy. The rider has landed the last four runnings of the Doncaster Group 1 and reckons he can make it five on Martyn Meade’s progressive Haydock Listed winner.
■ Triumph Hurdle winner Defi Du Seuil has been ruled out of his planned comeback at Cheltenham on Saturday due to the ground.
Trainer Philip Hobbs had hoped to blow the cobwebs away in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle before tougher targets awaited later in the season.