Donald McCain / Donald McCain / 18 February 2012 / 1 Comments

Donald has some live chances at Haydock and Ascot on Saturday.

Saturday

13.35 Haydock

Lexi's Boy

There's obviously a bit of a doubt about ground this testing but he handled the soft ground at Ayr last time well enough and we have had the race in mind for him for a while. He seems very well at home and I have been told that the heart issue he suffered on his debut could have been a one-off. This is a better race but he deserves to take his chance and I would think he could go very well if the ground is okay.

14.10 Haydock

Real Milan

I really think a lot of him and although it looks a cracking race, I am hopeful that he will go very well. The track and the ground are obviously no problem for him and you would have to think that this trip is just what he wants at this stage of his career. It's a fine race but we go there with as good a chance as any and I would think he was just about my best chance of the weekend.

14.45 Haydock

Reindeer Dippin

This is a step up in grade for him but it was a choice between this or carrying a big weight in the Pertemps qualifier and with these conditions very much in his favour, I thought it was worth coming here. He's got a bit to find on the figures but this doesn't look a vintage Rendlesham and the fact he has conditions to suit has to be a positive.

15.55 Haydock

Tornado Bob

He ran a better race in the bumper at Southwell last weekend and he needs to get a bit of confidence back before going over fences at the big spring meetings. This looked a good place to come as it will open up the options by getting him qualified for the Pertemps Final as well, just in case plans change between now and Cheltenham.

Chamirey

He finished third in the Final of this in 2010 and although we ran him over fences last year, it makes sense to get him qualified for this year's race. He was in need of the run at Uttoxeter last month but he stays well, handles the mud and he should fare better this time.

16.30 Haydock

Empress Orchid

She's got two ways of running and I am stuck in a bit of a quandary with her as to what trip she wants. I think we will have to ride her a bit more patiently over this trip in the ground and how she takes to that remains to be seen. This is a stronger race in any case and she might find a couple too strong.

13.15 Ascot

Super Duty

He's up in class but he deserves to take him chance in this company and I am keen to run him on better ground. He was tired when falling last time and he will be much happier back on this faster ground. This will tell us whether he is just a good northern novice or something a bit better than that - either way, he is going to be a cracking chaser in the future.

15.35 Ascot

Bourne

This is a huge step up in class for him but he has plenty of experience in big handicaps on the Flat so it isn't as though he will be fazed by the hurly burly of it all. This does look a very warm event but it will do him good to run in this sort of race and he does get in here off a lovely racing weight.

Sunday

14.40 Market Rasen

Dorabelle

She was running a nice race at Doncaster on her reappearance before she fell at the last. The return to handicap company will be in her favour and she will need to run well if she is to earn a place in the mares' race at Cheltenham.

My best chance
Real Milan has found himself in a strong race at Haydock but he deserves to take his chance, will love the conditions and I have always thought a lot of him.

Comments (1)

1. kevin parlour | 18 February 2012

   another good day at the office keep it going for cheltenham ive got a nice lucky 15 with yours at cheltenham . if 3 of them come in i will buy you a drink mate cheers ;)

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