Donald McCain: The verdict on my Saturday runners

Donald McCain / Donald McCain / 11 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Donald has a strong team in action at Musselburgh on Saturday

"This sharp 2m should suit him [Tara Royal] well and I think we will ride him a bit more positively than has been the case so far. Timmy [Murphy] felt he overdid the waiting tactics at Doncaster last time and not much was able to get into the race from behind...."

Donald has a strong team assembled for Musselburgh's rescheduled fixture on Saturday.

13:30 2m4f Novice Hurdle

Ebanour

He's in grand form and is ready to run - I quite fancied him last week in the handicap and he ought to have a cracking chance back in a novice hurdle. I have to respect the Charlie Longsdon horse [Cross of Honour] who is getting weight off us but the form of Ebanour's run here in November has worked out and he is still open to improvement over this sort of trip. Obviously there is a slight concern that the headgear might not have the same effect a second time but he would look to be my best chance on the card.

14:05 2m Juvenile Hurdle

Kie

This doesn't look a bad race but he was impressive when he ran here previously and I am happy to ignore his latest run at Kempton as he wasn't right when he got home. He has the Fred Winter at Cheltenham as his main aim but he is ready to run and this looked a good place to come on route.

14:35 3m Handicap Hurdle

Alderley Rover

He's been very disappointing and although he has a lower mark over hurdles to play with, he has a bit to prove at the moment. I think that 3m round here should suit him but I couldn't be overly positive.

15:10 2m Handicap Chase

Tara Royal

This sharp 2m should suit him well and I think we will ride him a bit more positively than has been the case so far. Timmy [Murphy] felt he overdid the waiting tactics at Doncaster last time and not much was able to get into the race from behind. I have always thought he had a decent prize in him and the handicapper is slowly making life easier for him.

15:45 2m Handicap Hurdle

Koup de Kanon

He ran really well for the Timeform Betfair Racing Club at Cheltenham last time as I wasn't sure he was quite up to mixing it in that sort of company over hurdles. He certainly didn't look out of place there though and he has earned his right to run in a race like this. It's obviously a competitive event but he is improving all the time and he ought to give a bold showing.

16:20 2m4f Novice Chase

Chester Lad

I think the top horse [Bold Sir Brian] will be hard to beat but I was fairly happy with the way he got the job done at Newcastle and I was keen to run him this way round on his next start. He won't mind this longer trip and he will win more races - at the moment, he needs the experience though and he is learning all the time.

16:50 2m4f Handicap Hurdle

A Bridge Too Far

He was still travelling quite well when he made a bad mistake at the third last at Ascot last time and I think we will ride him more positively here. This is a weaker race than the one he was due to run in last week, the longer trip won't be a problem and I would be hopeful that he would give another good account as I don't think he is badly handicapped.

My best chance
Ebanour has a penalty to overcome in the novice hurdle but he is still unexposed at the trip and is going the right way.

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Koup de Kanon runs at Musselburgh on Saturday for the Timeform Betfair Racing Club. Join the club and you can experience what it's like to be an owner in Donald's yard and cheer home your horses at the track plus a host of other amazing benefits. For just £249 a year you can follow our 13 horses, get access to to owners badges, annual stable visits to all our trainer's yards, access to tickets for Betfair sponsored events and £1000's of pounds worth of Timeform Race Cards. Check out all the club horses and join today!