Raymond to take honours

AYMOND Tusk has had his attentions switched to the winter game late in life but can make up for lost time in the Racing TV Maiden Hurdle at Market Rasen.

Unraced at two, he is related to winning hurdlers so it is something of a surprise it has taken this long for him to see an obstacle.

However, that is mainly because he was very useful on the Flat. Having made a winning debut at three, on his third start he found himself taking on Roaring Lion et al in the Eclipse and while he never threatened, he was only beaten nine lengths.

He ended that season with a Group Two win in Italy for Richard Hannon and the following year connections hoped he would progress into a Cup horse, but it never really worked out following a trip to Doha in February.

There is an argument for saying his last run that year was a career best, though, beaten only five lengths in the Melbourne Cup.

Last winter he was ultimately disappointing and was sold to current connections, but as soon as Alan King got his hands on him, hurdling was surely always in the offing and he seems to have come back to life on the Flat, too.

Second to Ilaraab at York in May, he was also second in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot before a mid-season break. He blew the cobwebs away at Goodwood recently and we can assume his schooling has gone well given King is one of the best dual-purpose trainers around.

Nicky Henderson’s Casablanca Mix can turn the tables on last year’s winner Chilli Filli in the Bud Booth Mares’ Chase.

Separated by just a length 12 months ago when the Henderson runner carried a penalty, this time around the boot is on the other foot meaning his rival Casablanca Mix is 8lb better off.

Donald McCain and Brian Hughes are in irresistible form at present and look set for more success at Sedgefield where A Different Kind can get the day off to a perfect start.