Despair at Haydock

31-03-2016

NEWS: It was heartbreak at Haydock on Saturday when a last hurdle mistake by Emerging Force cost the yard its first Channel 4 winner. Although it was gutting he showed a huge level of ability and he is certainly a very exciting prospect for the future. ENTRIES: Mollasses has been declared to run in a 2m Handicap Hurdle at Newbury tomorrow at 4.10 . She ran a promising race on debut this season where she finished 3rd on the All-Weather at Lingfield. Unfortunately she picked up an injury that day but is now ready to get going again. She runs off a mark of 132 which is tough, but she certainly has the class to be competitive off it. She only faces 6 rivals here and the galloping nature of the track should suit her. Molly has been off a while so will come on for the run. we are looking forward to getting her Spring/Summer campaign started off here. Duke of Medina will run in a Juvenile Handicap Hurdle over 2m 3f at Newbury on Saturday at 4.15. He finished in mid field in a fiercely competitive Fred Winter last time out and has been dropped 4lb to a mark of 134. The step up in trip on slightly slower ground should suit him and Harry Teal will ride him for the first time. Harry has joined the yard as a conditional jockey and can claim a very valuable 10lb on Saturday. We aren’t sure what the final field will be as Ascot has a very similar race on the following day. This is a nice race for him and hopefully he can be competitive. Zephyros Bleu runs at Uttoxeter in a 3m Handicap Hurdle on Saturday at 3.10 . He has gone close on both his handicaps starts this year and now steps up to 3 miles for the first time. The ground at Uttoxeter will be on the soft side which will suit, as will the extra distance. Zephyr will also wear cheek pieces for the first time, which will help his concentration. Sean Bowen takes the ride for the first time and should really suit him. This is likely to be his last start of the season and we would love to end it with a win. He goes there in great order and should have every chance. Patronne is entered at Newton Abbot and Ludlow on Tuesday at 2.15 . She missed other engagements last week because of the soft ground and these were the next suitable races for her. She's had a wind op since her debut for the yard at Plumpton and is ready to get back on the track. Patsy is a free going filly with a lot of speed so the main aim on Tuesday will be to get her nice and relaxed. She will appreciate the switch to better ground and we are looking forward to getting her out again. Qasser is entered in a 2m Handicap Hurdle at Ludlow on Tuesday at 5.40 . He ran well at Fakenham on Gold Cup day to finish 3rd, he also ran into a very well handicapped horse and had some trouble at the start. The switch to Ludlow should suit him as he has lots of pace and although a mark of 124 is high enough for him, he should be competitive. Harry Teal will ride him and again claim a valuable 10lb. The better ground is important to this horse. THE RETURN OF THE MIGHTY POLST - Polstar will make his long awaited return from a summer break in the same race as Qasser. He has been brilliant this year winning 3 times through the summer and in to the autumn and has had a deserved break to avoid the winter ground. He ran well off a mark of 119 at Kempton on his last run. He needed his first run back last year and he may do again, but hopefully he can have another successful campaign to add to his yard tally of 5!!! Farbreaga is set to run again in a 3m 2f Handicap Chase at Newton Abbot on Tuesday at 3.00 . He took a step back in the right direction on his first start for the yard at Warwick in February and runs here off a mark of 122. Fab actually won the race last year and goes there in good form in an attempt to follow up. Although there are only 10 entries it is a competitive race, the main dangers may well be the consistent Dawson City and the Paul Nicholls trained Minellahalfcentury. REPORTS: Hoke Colburn was an eye-catching 6th on his racecourse debut at Warwick last Wednesday. It was a competitive 18 runner field and the race was run at a decent pace throughout. Hoke jumped off in a handy position under jockey Gavin Sheehan and was a little bit keen early on. He soon settled and found a position in mid field. The pace quickened down the back straight and he was outpaced, but the further he went the better he went. Hoke started passing horses and grew in confidence, as they came up the straight he was finishing best of everything. He just lost out on a photo for 5th position and we were delighted with the run. He showed an excellent attitude and lots of stamina. Emerging Force unseated Nico de Boinville when in control of the race at Haydock on Saturday. Nico jumped him off handy and he soon found his way into 3rd position. Force jumped and travelled nicely throughout the contest, really enjoying the better ground. The 2 leaders set a fair gallop and increased that pace down the back straight for the final time. Nico asked Force to chase leader Petethepear and he closed in on him turning for home. A couple of challengers emerged from the chasing pack, but a good jump 3 out took Emerging Force to the lead. He extended that lead over 2 out and looked to have the race at his mercy coming to the last. Unfortunately he made a bad mistake and gave Nico not chance of retaining the partnership. It was gutting for everyone concerned but at the same time the horse showed how talented he is. He is now rated 147 and will be aimed at the Grade 1 3m Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown festival. Until next week where we feature our Aintree runners,