INSIDE TRACK

All hail WINX the wonder horse who demolished all comers to take her fourth Cox Plate in Australia, writes Julie Williams.

It was her tenth successive Group 1 win, giving her a record equalling 22 Group 1 victories. Matched only by another brilliant mare HURRICANE FLY.

Back at home, Gordon Elliott has announced that stable star act SAMCRO will resume over hurdles this season with an eye on the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Held in high regard by shrewd connections, Gigginstown Stud, it was believed SAMCRO was set for an early start to his career over fences.

The Champion Hurdle is a race that has evaded the competitive O’Leary brothers and SAMCRO is now a solid favourite at 5/ 2 having demoted treble seeking BUVEUR D’AIR ( 3/ 1) to second in the market.

From his Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, Paul Nicholls has not so much cantered but galloped himself into the 2018- 19 Jumps season with more winners than you could shake a very large stick at.

Notoriously strong in November, the ten Champion Trainer kept his powder dry over the summer but with nine wins from 31 runners in the last 14 days - including a fine double with MODUS and FRODON at Cheltenham and Aintree respectively - his is the stable to follow.

The yard will be well represented in Novice Chases this season, as they always are, with CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK, DJINGLE and DYNAMITE DOLLARS perhaps some of the possible top graders to come.

Wetherby boasts a quality card for jumps fans this Saturday, topped by the the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at 2: 40pm.

At the five day declaration stage, ten horses oppose the solid favourite THISTLECRACK ( 7/ 4).

They include last year’s winner BRISTOL DE MAI who can be backed at 9/ 2 for a repeat of last year’s valiant effort when the gelding saw off the late challenge of stablemate BLAKLION.

Few will forget THISTLECRACK’s majestic seven length defeat of ALPHA DES OBEAUX in the 2016 World Hurdle.

The switch to fences has so far produced four wins from six runs.

His last run was a disappointing fourth to the mighty MIGHT BITE in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, a race he had won the previous year as a novice. A stress fracture was diagnosed.

Now a 10- year- old and having missed the last two Cheltenham Gold Cups through injury, you’d be forgiven for thinking his glory days are behind him. That, I think, would be a mistake.

Off the track for 312 days, he may well come on for the run but as his price suggests he is the class act in the field.

The yard are quoted as saying they have him in brilliant form.

That’s ominous for layers – and music to the ears of backers despite the short odds.

Follow Julie @ RacingJulie