Big things expected of Tai Ho in feature

GORE jumper Tai Ho is set to say tally ho to his rivals in tomorrow’s Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton.

The Ellis Winsloetrained veteran let everyone know he was in for a big winter season with a commanding win on the track earlier this month. Tai Ho gave five of the six rivals he faces in tomorrow’s timehonoured 3900m race a thrashing by more than 20 lengths in his first jumping start of the season.

With similar opposition and a similarly wet track, weight could be the only thing that stops him winning again.

Tai Ho will have to carry 3kg more that he did in his laststart win because he has gone up 1.5kg in the handicap and his rider, Stuart Higgins, has lost his 1.5kg claim.

All his rivals stay on the same weight, except for topweight Yipso who has to carry 1kg more.

Seeking Redemption did not contest the race won by Tai Ho. Instead, he ran in the maiden hurdle on the same day, finishing sixth.

The Great Western Hurdle features a clash of progressive jumpers.

Zentangle and The Young Pretender were impressive winners on the track earlier this month.

Exciting hurdler Jackfrost and this season’s Grand National Hurdle runnerup, Go Go Gonzo, had to be scratched on the same day.

The Brian and Shane Andertontrained Jackfrost has recovered from a float incident that ruled him out of racing.

‘‘He is good as gold,’’ Brian Anderton said.

The Andertons also line up defending Great Western Hurdle winner Gold Leaf.

A dire shortage of jumps jockeys and a busy jumps racing schedule this week mean stable riders Jacob Lowry or Shankar Muniandy may be called on to ride the horse.

Riverton galloper Flying Sardine continued her brilliant form by winning yesterday’s open 1600m at Riccarton. The Kelvin Tylertrained mare scored a two and ahalf length win under rider Brett Murray.