Donald McCain: Delighted with Our Mick's run at Newbury

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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Paul Nicholls: Delighted with Al Ferof

Latest News / Paul Nicholls / 22 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

"He won’t run before then and my aim now is to get him ready and at his best for Cheltenham and that is exactly what I will do."

Paul Nicholls give us his views on Al Ferof's performance yesterday in finishing third and why he's such an exciting prospect with Cheltenham now on everyone's minds.

I see that Timeform rate Al Ferof's third in the Victor Chandler at Ascot yesterday as the best performance by a novice chaser this season - and I couldn't agree more.

I gather they now rate Al Ferof on 161 and that is 3lb ahead of Grands Crus' Feltham win (which was 158p).

Although he jumped a bit novicey on occasions, I was delighted with his fencing in the main.

He wasn't foot perfect, but that is exactly why I ran him in the race. Namely, for the experience in a strongly run, high class race that he is very likely to get in the Arkle - and yesterday's race will clearly stand him in very good stead.

I know we always say it at this time of the year but this season's race - with Sprinter Sacre, Peddlers Cross and Cue Card to name but three - really looks a hot renewal. I am under no illusions about that, and that Al Ferof will probably need more than 2m in the future.

But, in summary, I was thrilled with the run - he is fine this morning, along with yesterday's winners Celestial Halo and Violin Davis - and now it is all systems go for the Arkle.

He won't run before then and my aim now is to get him ready and at his best for Cheltenham and that is exactly what I will do. As we have seen with him in the past, most
obviously when finishing second in the Festival bumper and when winning the
Supreme, he is at his best in the Spring too.

So I wouldn't rule out further improvement in six weeks' time.

And Timeform also make another interesting point. Now, this year's race will probably take much more winning, but they rate Al Ferof's Ascot third yesterday 2lb higher than Captain Chris' winning Arkle performance last year.

So my eyes are set on Cheltenham in March.

But Ruby is looking further ahead, it seems - in more ways than one.

I can tell you that Ruby was thrilled with yesterday as an Arkle trial.

But he also turned round to John Hales yesterday and said "what a ride he'd be in the King George next season."

There's a host of news from Ditcheat where Denman's recovery is taking a little longer than expected but Zarkandar appears to be in fine fettle with a big race on the horizon...

You never know with some horses so it's to the racecourse with Zarkandar for a spot of pre-Betfair Hurdle reconnaissance......

Racing's top man is back on our Twitter feed and live for an hour on January 18. Ten prizes will be won by those asking the questions!...

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