Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Big stamina test will suit Ahoy Senor
AHOY Senor is taken to get the better of Bravemansgame in what could turn out to be a stamina-sapping Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby today.
With conditions set to be much more testing than 12 months ago, when Bravemansgame sauntered to victory, he can be taken on with the more resolute galloper Ahoy Senor.
Lucinda Russell’s charge was still going well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when falling on the second circuit and while it was too far out to suggest what may have happened, what can be said is that he was moving well within himself.
Of course, jumping did prove to be his Achilles heel last season, he never looked happy at any stage when well beaten as the 11-10 favourite in this corresponding race, but when he does get it all together he has shown more than once how big his engine is.
He beat Sounds Russian, Noble Yeats and Protektorat in the Cotswold Chase and then after his Cheltenham fall looked sure to beat Shishkin at Aintree only to be reeled in after the last.
The most competitive race on the card is unquestionably the Bet365 Mares’ Hurdle.
While it is only a Listed event, there will be worse Grade Twos run this season with Cheltenham winner You Wear It Well, Luccia, Kateira and the Stainsby Girl all clashing.
With the potential for You Wear It Well and Stainsby Girl to take each other on for the lead, the marginal preference goes to Kateira, with Dan Skelton’s good record at this meeting taken into account.
She is arguably the least exposed, too, and her form against the boys at Aintree when second to Irish Point, with You Wear It Well in behind, is arguably the strongest on offer.
Dashel Drasher may have more heart for the battle than Thyme Hill in the Bet365 Hurdle, while Immortal can get punters off to a flyer at Ascot in the Grundon Waste Management Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle.
At Newmarket, the rearranged Betfred Horris Hill Stakes can go to Simon and Ed Crisford’s Telemark. ■ Officials at Wetherby admit they are playing “a waiting game” after calling a 7am inspection ahead of the track’s most high-profile fixture of the season this afternoon.
Rain during the week has seen river levels rise markedly at the West
Yorkshire venue, leading to pressure on the track’s drainage system and leaving standing water in places.
With the course unraceable, clerk of the course Jonjo Sanderson was left with no option but to call off the Friday card early yesterday.