Donald McCain 
/ Donald McCain / 17 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Ballabriggs is due to have a racecourse gallop at Haydock on Saturday.
"I think today proved that he [Our Mick] was crying out for a step up to 3m and he is going to be one to follow when he gets his chance over further....."
Donald didn't hit the target at Newbury on Friday but he was thrilled with Our Mick's third in the Grade 1 novice chase.
I didn't make it to Newbury this afternoon but I enjoyed watching it at home and I was pleased with the way that both Desert Cry and Our Mick ran in their respective races.
I am convinced Desert Cry has one of these big handicap hurdles in him but every time I run him in a big field, they end up going no gallop. That doesn't suit him at all and although he briefly threatened to make a move turning into the straight, the others were quickening ahead of him as well.
He will get things run to suit him one day and he will show what he can do then.
I was delighted with Our Mick upped to Grade 1 company and he continues to look more professional with each run. I think today proved that he was crying out for a step up to 3m and he is going to be one to follow when he gets his chance over further.
Obviously the win of Sprinter Sacre was watched with interest here and you have to say he was mightily impressive. He did beat handicappers though - albeit very good handicappers - and he was a long odds-on favourite - that was how he was supposed to win, wasn't it?!
In all seriousness, he is clearly a very talented novice but, whatever was said in the aftermath, it will be a different test in the Arkle and we are heading to Cheltenham with a horse who has been there and done it all before.
Peddlers Cross continues his rehabilitation and is in grand form again at home - we can just get on quietly with him while all the attention is now focussed on Nicky Henderson!
We've got some nice young horses in action over the weekend, particularly at Haydock, but it's also a big day for Ballabriggs who is due to have a gallop after racing. Assuming everything goes to plan, it's then on to Kelso early next month.
The Grand National weights came out in the week and there were plenty of people who were keen to point out that Weird Al was 5lb clear top-rated with Timeform. Ballabriggs has been there and done it all before though - how does that experience offset a few pounds here and there?
With the Grand National weights announced this morning, read Donald's thoughts on his three entrants here....
'Bumpers for jumpers' is the theme at Southwell on Sunday and Donald has runners in five of the races on the card....
Donald has a strong team assembled for Musselburgh's rescheduled fixture on Saturday....
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