KAYLEY EYES SANDOWN
TRAINER Kayley Woollacott has given her stable star, Lalor, an entry for this Saturday’s randoxhealth.com Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
Lalor made a scintillating debut over fences at Cheltenham last month, after which his trainer initially ruled out an appearance in this weekend’s Grade One contest.
“I know after Lalor’s win in the Arkle Trial at Cheltenham I said we wouldn’t go to Sandown but we’ve decided to give him an entry,” said Woollacott. “He’s come out of the race in great form and although he hasn’t schooled since, he seems in really good order.
“It would be silly of us not to enter him and at least have a look at the race.
“There aren’t a huge number of options for him, so we’ll weigh things up later in the week and make a decision then. I’m not saying he’ll run, but we’ll definitely consider it.
“After Saturday there’s the Wayward Lad at Kempton on December 27, so we could keep him back for that.
“At this stage we’re then planning to go to Doncaster for the Lightning on January 27 as his final race before Cheltenham.
“These things can all change, but we’ll see what the entries look like for Sandown. He’ll school this week and if all is well we could turn up on Saturday. It’s a Grade One after all.
“I’ve said before that ideally we want Dickie (Richard Johnson) to ride him, so we’ll also have to see if he’s likely to be at Sandown or Aintree.”
The Tingle Creek which is run on the same afternoon has been re-opened and it will be clearer today who will take on the mighty Altior.
Don Poli heads 28 horses at the latest confirmation stage for the Randox Health Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday.
He could return from a 664-day absence and tackle the Grand National fences for the first time in this weekend’s feature event.
His trainer Gordon Elliott has also left in Noble Endeavor, Monbeg Notorious and Irish Grand National hero General Principle.
Nigel Twiston-Davies has last year’s winner Blaklion and Ballyoptic in the mix, as well as Go Conquer and Calett Mad.
Other contenders include 2016 Grand National runner-up The Last Samuri, Warren Greatrex’s Theatre Territory and Rock The Kasbah.