Wincanton braced for San storm
SAN SATIRO can make it a profitable week for connections by winning the Royal Bath & West Show Society Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton.
It was probably not in Paul Nicholls’ grand plan to have him out again so quickly when he declared him for Exeter on Tuesday.
However, given his only other scheduled rival that day left him with a walkover it meant he picked up the prize-money and returned home without having had a race.
Prior to that, though, San Satiro had looked a youngster capable of winning more races when he beat Thumb Stone Blues.
On his debut for the yard he got bogged down in soft ground so he was given a break with a campaign at this time of year in mind.
He will probably want further in time but even under a penalty he should take plenty of beating.
From 12 five-day entries in the Ryan Direct Group “National Hunt’’ Novices’ Hurdle only two have been declared, with the Nicholls-trained Dreamcatching one of those.
While he is still chasing the title, every winner will help his cause and this looks an easy assignment.
The current champion trainer is also looking for a confidence boost for Capitaine in the Follow Us On Twitter At 188Bet Novices’ Hurdle.
We know the ability is there as he beat Captain Forez and was second in the Tolworth early in the season, but he was a disappointing favourite in the Dovecote and pulled up behind Mount Mews at Kelso.
That was on heavy ground and Nicholls will hope to send him off for a holiday on a positive note as he should enjoy himself back on a decent surface.
Shimla Dawn has been given a long break through the winter and can reap the reward in the wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Chase at the A1 track.
Mark Walford’s charge has some decent form in the book and is a consistent type when he has the ground in his favour.
Last seen in November when second at Kelso, he is still a bit unexposed over fences, having had just seven starts, and despite top weight he should take all the beating.
Ex-Aidan O’Brien inmate Blue Hussar has taken well to hurdling for Micky Hammond and can notch a third success in the racinguk.com/HD Novices’ Hurdle.
He already has a win over course and distance to his name when he beat the useful Master Of Finance and he followed up at Kelso recently.
As the first of his wins was an apprentices’ race he only has one penalty to carry, rather than a double.
Baraza is never going to be as good as his brother, Nacarat, but Tom George will win more races with him, possibly the Collect totepool Winnings At Betfred Shops Novices’ Handicap Chase at Stratford.
He must have good ground and George has reached for the blinkers after he was narrowly beaten at Ffos Las two weeks ago.