Goodtoknow can stake Aintree claim
Betfred Classic to prove ideal stepping stone Count Meribel fancied to regain winning ways
This time last year Lucinda Russell used the Betfred Classic as a stepping stone to Grand National glory for One For Arthur and, hoping that it will be a case of London buses in a race that had never previously been won by an Aintree winner, Kerry Lee is hoping to do the same today with Goodtoknow.
Her 10-year-old followed One For Arthur home in this race last year, beaten six lengths, before he too ran a respectable race in the National, finishing 13th after racing too freely and not getting home.
Lee, who also fields Krackatoa King and 2016 winner Russe Blanc in today’s race, explained that Goodtoknow has had a rotten first half of the season but hoped he had turned a corner. “He returned from the Becher Chase with a nasty foot infection, but hopefully that’s all behind him,” said the trainer, whose Alfie Spinner finished second in last week’s Welsh National to confirm the well-being of her stayers.
“He didn’t quite get home in the National but, if he gets in, we would ride him differently this time.”
However, she said she was having trouble splitting her three runners in the race. “Krackatoa King has been hugely consistent since he came to us and the race should play to his strengths while Russe Blanc is 2lbs lower than when he won two years ago, but he is 11. Ideally you wouldn’t run them all in the same race – but it is worth £75,000”.
On what is the biggest day in Warwick’s year, the Ballymore Leamington Novice Hurdle has been won by smart horses such as Inglis Drever, Carruthers, The New One and Willoughby Court. Five of the six runners won last time out with the exception being Count Meribel, who was outstayed by Kilbricken Castle at Cheltenham. However, dropping back in trip he can return to winning ways.
Nicky Henderson gets married today, six miles up a track in the middle of Scotland. He runs Mr Whipped in the Leamington and has two good chances in Kempton’s 32Red Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle, claiming 5lbs off both William Henry, returning to hurdles, and favourite Diese Des Bieffes.
However, the trainer’s Style de Garde was a disappointing fourth in yesterday’s Smarkets Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle at Huntingdon, which was won convincingly by the 20-1 shot Esprit de Samoza, who was given a patient ride by Lizzie Kelly. The winner received a quote of 25-1 for the Triumph Hurdle.