RACING ALL FIRED UP!
ANDREW Balding and Oisin Murphy will attempt to go back-to-back in the BetMGM All-Weather Three Year Old Championships Handicap with recent Kempton scorer Fire Demon at Newcastle today.
The Kingsclere handler and his long-time jockey linked up with Desert Cop when the race was run as a conditions event 12 months ago, but look to have a strong hand once again with the six-furlong shootout now taking place as a handicap.
The Juddmonte-owned son of Dark Angel produced some solid form figures as a twoyear-old but has really begun to take shape since dropped back to six furlongs from the turn of the year.
He has won two of his last three at that distance and arrives at Gosforth Park with connections hopeful of a bold bid.
Blip
“He’s been very consistent and had just one little blip this winter when he ran at Lingfield and Ryan (Moore) just felt the track didn’t suit him that day at all,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon.
“He bounced back nicely on his last start and I think the track at Newcastle will suit him well. He’s going there with a live chance and it’s great prize-money and a nice race — and if we could catch it, then it would be lovely.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Balding, who added: “It was nice to see him bounce back at Kempton and win well, as he got very unbalanced at Lingfield the time before that.
“On a conventional track like Newcastle again, I think he goes there with a sporting chance.”
Fire Demon’s jockey will know plenty about one of his mount’s chief rivals Blue Prince, having ridden him to finish on the premises at Lingfield the last twice.
Prior to that, David Evans’ Blue Point colt was seen getting the better of Sommelier over course and distance and his handler feels he could make a return to the scoresheet in the north east.
Unlucky
Evans said: “I thought he was a bit unlucky in the trial at Lingfield. He has come out of it in good order and I think he has a nice chance.”
Meanwhile, Sommelier has been kept fresh since that half-length reversal to Blue Prince on New Year’s Day, with Marco Botti’s charge meeting his old adversary on much better terms despite having to shoulder the burden of top-weight.
“His preparation has gone to plan and we are very happy with him,” said Botti.
“We wanted to bring him here fresh after his run in the trial. It is going to be a tough race, especially carrying top weight, but he has already proven himself at the track.
“We have booked Rossa Ryan and he has been lucky for us in the past.”
Karl Burke saddled El Caballo to land this prize two years ago and has two chances this year, with the consistent Media Shooter and Bazball.