STARS SOFT PEDAL
BRISTOL DE MAI and Thistlecrack, two of the best jumpers in training, are to miss the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby tomorrow.
And both sets of connections are blaming the ground for their decision to swerve one of the earlyseason chase highlights.
Thistlecrack, the exciting Colin Tizzard-trained 2016 King George VI Chase winner, was the first to bail out yesterday morning.
Not seen in public since finishing fourth in last season’s KG, after which he suffered a stress fracture, Thistlecrack became a doubtful runner earlier in the week and assistant trainer Joe Tizzard confirmed yesterday: “We’ve made the decision not to run, the horse is in lovely form but the ground’s not good enough for us.”
Nigel Twiston-Davies also cited the ‘good’ ground when all but ruling Bristol De Mai out of the Grade Two contest.
“He’s very unlikely I’m afraid – lack of rain,” he said. “If they have a lot of rain it could change, but just on watered good ground, probably not.”
The trainer added that Bristol De Mai may go straight to Haydock for the Betfair Chase – a race he won by 57 lengths last term.
Among the remaining Charlie Hall entries are Black Corton, Definitly Red, and Gordon Elliott’s trio Alpha Des Obeaux, Don Poli and Outlander, all for the Gigginstown House Stud.
This afternoon, in the same maroon colours, the brilliant Samcro returns at Down Royal in the Grade Two WKD Hurdle where he has just three opponents, including race-fit Galway Hurdle winner Sharjah.
The familiar jumping silks of Rich Ricci were seen on the Flat yesterday at Lingfield – the owner lives within an hour of the track – but Law Girl could finish only sixth in the Listed River Eden Fillies’ Stakes.
It was a clever bit of placing to win the £22,000 first prize by William Haggas with the 11-4 chance Dramatic Queen as she had picked up a £15,000 race at Kempton less than 24 hours previously.
Truly, Queen for a day.