Mccain’s Musselburgh return
Donald Mccain has two runners at Musselburgh today, his first since half a dozen horses from his Cheshire stable tested positive for equine flu, an outbreak which resulted in a six-day shutdown of British racing.
Mccain, who revealed on Monday night he had been given the all clear to get going again, is represented by Henry’s Joy in the HGP And Partner’s 800 Homes Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase and The Character in the Introducing Racing TV Handicap Hurdle.”
In a statement the Grand National-winning handler said: “After all the tests coming back negative, we have been told we are back in business. I cannot thank my staff enough for all the hard work over the last few weeks and all my owners for their unwavering support. It means an awful lot.”
Exactly three weeks to the day since his last runner, Mccain bids to uphold a handsome strike-rate of 22 per cent at the East Lothian venue.
Triple champion jump jockey Richard Johnson, who received his OBE from The Queen at Buckingham Palace yesterday, has three fancied rides starting with The Very Thing for Olly Murphy in the congratulations Catch Bissettemployee Of The Year Maiden Hurdle.
The race is named in honour of Edinburgh-born Catriona Bissett – based with Nick Alexander – who scooped the main honour at last week’s Godolphin Stud And Stable Staff Awards in London.
Admission to Musselburgh is free both for today and for tomorrow’s extra meeting awarded by the BHA in light of the recent abandonments.
Meanwhile, Space Bandit has won each of his two starts at Southwell so far and he can further add to his tally in the sunracing.co.uk Handicap.
Course form is usually a big plus at the Nottinghamshire venue – with the Fibresand not suiting all horses – and Michael Appleby’s charge clearly relishes it, winning a maiden in November before following up in January.
Neither race was spectacular but he came home five lengths clear in an apprentice heat last time without hitting top gear, prompting an 8lb hike in the ratings. That rise is partly offset by Theodore Ladd’s 5lb claim, and Space Bandit can kick on again here.