MATHIS CAN CALL TUNE
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RICHARD FAHEY and David O’Meara go head-to-head in the two feature races on a high quality card to mark the opening day of Thirsk’s 2017 season this afternoon.
The pair come up against each other in a cracking renewal of the EBFstallions. com Michael Foster Stakes, and lock horns again in the New “Cherry Tree” Racegoers Package Handicap.
In the Michael Foster Fahey’s Rene Mathis, who was second in the race last year, is up against O’Meara’s group race performer Custom Cut in what promises to be a fascinating clash, although it nearly didn’t happen with Fahey making a last-minute decision to run.
“I was a bit worried about ® the opposition and it was 50-50 an hour before declarations, but when just three were declared and the race reopened, I had another look and decided to give it a go,” said Fahey.
Chasing
With over 30 winners on the board already this season and a team in form, Fahey has high hopes RENE MATHIS (3.30) will go one better after chasing home Kevin Ryan’s Kelinni last year.
The main threat looks to be O’Meara’s Custom Cut, who has been plying his trade in group races.
He was beaten a neck when third in the Group Three Diomed Stakes at Epsom last June and was placed in both the Strensall Stakes at York and the Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown.
“Custom Cut is in good form following his run in the Doncaster Mile last time and I have no worries about dropping him back to seven furlongs,” said O’Meara.
It will be the first time Custom Cut has run over a trip shorter than a mile since he was 10th in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in 2015.
Fahey and O’Meara go head-to-head in the Cherry Tree with Gabrial’s King and Saved By The Bell, although both may be trumped by Tim Easterby’s MUKHAYYAM (4.40), who is sure to improve for a recent run at Catterick.