Smith team strike with Midnight
DANNY COOK believes Midnight Shadow could be a National Hunt star of the future after putting up a career best performance to land the Relkeel Hurdle, the New Year’s Day highlight at Cheltenham.
Even though the jockey said the six-year-old could now be a Stayers’ Hurdle contender over three miles at the Cheltenham Festival in March, he believes Cyril and Aafke Clarke’s horse could be even better in time over fences.
The winner of last season’s Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr, the horse did run poorly by his own high standards in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November before returning to winning ways at Aintree last month.
However Cook, and Bingley-based trainer Sue Smith, were determined to put a line through the Greatwood run and give the horse a second chance at jump racing’s headquarters in this prestigious Grade Two contest over two and a half miles.
“He’s only a baby. He is a horse to look forward to,” said Cook, who is also looking forward to a Cheltenham Gold Cup ride on Brian Ellison’s Definitly Red in March. “He won the Scottish Champion Hurdle and I have always thought a lot of him. Next year he will go novice chasing and there will be plenty of options. He’s doing nothing but improve.”
In a select six-runner field, Midnight Shadow travelled strongly for Cook against highlyrated rivals before locking horns with Old Guard and Wholestone on the turn for home and then surging clear after the final flight.
And while the aforementioned Smith said the owner’s dream of having a runner in the two-mile Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, she believes the horse needs to compete over longer trips to be seen at his best.
“I’m delighted. He’s a great jumper and he’s improving the whole time,” said Smith, whose husband Harvey, the legendary showjumper, celebrated his 80th birthday last weekend.”
The former Grand Nationalwinning trainer, who has made no secret of her high regard for Midnight Shadow, added: “He has obviously got a touch of class and jumps great and he has got a very big engine.
“He is on the improve and long may it last. Hopefully he will keep sound so we can keep going as he will be a fantastic chaser next season.
“We were all a bit disappointed with his run here last time. We couldn’t find a reason why as he was perfectly healthy at home and he seemed right. Maybe it was the big field or the fact the ground was a bit quicker, I honestly don’t know.
“He went and won really well at Aintree and we were hopeful coming here, but not confident as we didn’t know if he handled the track. We’ve learnt today he does.
“The owner is keen on the Champion Hurdle, but I don’t think we can go back in trip. It is a possibility we could go for the Stayers’ Hurdle with him, but it will all have to be discussed. The ground would have to be in sensible order, which is easier rather than too fast.”
Meanwhile, North Yorkshire rider Adam Nicol, who has enjoyed so much success with the Phil Kirby-trained Lady Buttons, faces a spell on the sidelines after breaking a leg following the fall of Iconic Belle at Musselburgh. He was undergoing surgery last night.
And the feature chase at Catterick went to Manwell for Guiseley trainer Sam England and her husband Jonathan who was in the saddle.
He’s only a baby. He is a horse to look forward to.
Danny Cook, believes there is plenty more to come from Midnight Shadow.