McCain crosses fingers for Lexi’s Boy
Saturday 7 July 2012
Donald McCain believes Lexi's Boy has plenty going for him as the improving four-year-old steps up in class for the bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock today.
With the soft ground and trip of a mile and a half in his favour, the Cheshire trainer was not concerned that Lexi's Boy was put up 10lb for his latest win in the Cumberland Plate as it secured the grey gelding a place in the competitive and valuable handicap.
"This is a big step up in grade but the horse is well and it looks like the ground is going to suit, so there's no reason not to go. We needed to go up in the weights to get in the race so on that score we can't complain about it. It's a good race but he's in good nick, so it's fingers crossed," said McCain.
(App readers must click here to watch our video analysis with Tom O'Ryan and Andy Richmond)
At the other end of the handicap scale, trainer Michael Bell has booked 7lb claimer Thomas Garner for the mount on top-weight Allied Powers.
The jockey said: "It's my first ride for Mr Bell and I'm very lucky it's with a good horse like this. The last time he won the ground was described as very soft, so hopefully they'll have plenty of rain and the ground will be testing. He's a good horse with a touch of class and if anyone can carry top weight it would probably be him.
"This will be my first ride since I had a plate removed from my collarbone two weeks ago, so it's very exciting. I've been having physio every day since then and my movement is actually better now than it was when the plate was in my collarbone."
Easy Terms has been a revelation with six wins in her last seven starts and the mare's trainer Edwin Tuer expects her to relish the expected testing conditions.
The North Yorkshire handler said: "Every time she runs now she has to step up a gear, and one of these days she'll get found out. She goes well on heavy ground, which is part of the reason we're running here rather than at York (John Smith's Cup), as she might get taken off her feet next week.
"It's a bit of concern that she hasn't had a run for 50 days - that's not her fault, there's nothing wrong with her - but we think she's revved up again and back on song. We'll find out on Saturday if the handicapper has her or not."
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