No doubting Thomas
THOMAS BROWN can reap the benefit of a promising seasonal reappearance to open his account for the campaign in the Waitrose Handicap Chase at Ascot.
The eight-year-old, trained by Harry Fry, ran well for a long way when sixth to Go Conquer in the Sodexo Gold Cup over three miles at the Berkshire track until race fitness told in the closing stages.
He is dropped down to two miles, five furlongs for this race but he is pretty versatile, having won from distances between two and three miles.
And he was successful on this course over two miles and three furlongs in a novice chase two years ago.
Lalor is likely to go nicely in the David Brownlow Charitable Foundation ``Introductory’’ Hurdle.
The five-year-old is well liked by trainer Richard Woollacott, for whom he won a Grade Two bumper at Aintree in April.
He did not do much wrong on his hurdling debut, either, as Lalor was only beaten a short head by Onefortheroadtom in a solid race at Wincanton last month.
Lalor rallied with plenty of zest late on and only succumbed by the most slender of margins.
That was a grand effort, and though this does not look a breeze by any stretch of the imagination Lalor looks a jolly good horse who should more than pay his way this winter.
A Bold Move is an interesting proposition as he makes his debut over fences in the Robert Price Builders Merchants Novices’ Handicap Chase at Ffos Las.
The Christian Williamstrained seven-year-old has fair hurdles form on the course, whose boss is his part-owner Dai Walters.
Though he did not win over the smaller obstacles, A Bold Move was placed on his last three starts and the time has come for him to go chasing.