JANUARY 2012
It’s Grade 1 action from the outset on Racing UK with Sandown staging the Tolworth Hurdle on Saturday 7th. Nicky Henderson won the two-mile event for the second time in 2011 courtesy of Minella Class and the Lambourn-based trainer could make it three with exciting French recruit Captain Conan, who is a winner over obstacles at Auteuil.
A couple of weeks later, Haydock Park is the focus point with four Graded events on the card. Local handler Donald McCain is likely to run his progressive Cinders And Ashes in the sportingbet.com novice hurdle. An easy winner at the track last month, he has been earmarked for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The Stan James Champion Hurdle Trial has been won by some smart horses over the years and this year’s renewal is unlikely to be any different.
The month rounds off with ‘Trials Day’ at Cheltenham. It is the final meeting at Prestbury Park before the Festival six weeks later. There are no less than five Graded contests with the Argento Chase the key event.
Nick Williams has indicated that the hugely talented but fragile Diamond Harry may complete his Gold Cup preparation in the three miles and one furlong race. Paul Webber has also pinpointed it for Time For Rupert. Runner-up in the World Hurdle a couple of seasons ago, he got his chasing career back on track at Newbury last time when partnered by the excellent Denis O’Regan for the first time. This will tells us whether he is a realistic opponent to the likes of Kauto Star and Long Run in March.
The Betfair Cleeve Hurdle may see a surprise appearance from the ‘king of the stayers’ Big Buck’s. A five-times winner at Cheltenham, the nine-year-old will be bidding to extend his winning run to 15 races following bloodless successes at Newbury and Ascot already this season.
The other race to keep a close eye with the Festival in mind is the Betfair Finesse Juvenile Hurdle. Baby Mix was a most impressive winner at the track in December on his British debut for Tom George but he may cross swords with one of his compatriots Hammersly Lake. Now under the guidance of Nicky Henderson, he carries the black and white silks of Michael Buckley and is rumoured to be very good indeed.
