Reverence team hopeful
Connections of Reverence are hoping the lightly-raced five-year-old can last out the six furlongs of the williamhill.co.uk Cammidge Trophy at Redcar tomorrow.
The Eric Alston-trained gelding has been beaten in two previous attempts at the trip yet boasts a 100% record over five furlongs after winning all four starts at the distance.
He is also stepping up in class from handicaps to Listed company, having only made his debut last season.
“He’s very very well – he’s thrived over the winter,” said Alston’s wife, Sue.
“If we have a worry it’s the six furlongs. The first time he ran he finished second over six, then he won over five and we took him to Newmarket over six.
“It wasn’t perhaps the best ground for getting that distance – it was very sticky. He didn’t run badly but he didn’t get it so we are just praying he does.
“Kevin (Darley) and Eric both think he will get six but until we try we won’t know. He’s older and stronger and so lightly raced and another winter on him has done him good.”
A field of 14 has been declared including David Chapman’s veteran Quito, who is fresh from finishing second at Wolverhampton two weeks ago.
“He’s very well and the ground shouldn’t be too bad,” said Chapman.
“He’s just run up a little bit lighter than I wanted him to but he’ll run well.
“The draw (11) might not be too bad as he hangs a bit to the right. He’s not run at Redcar before but it’s similar to Doncaster – a flat, wide track.”
Orientor was back in ninth in the Wolverhampton race and his trainer Jim Goldie is worried about the draw (two).
“I would have preferred him to have been drawn nearer the centre,” said Goldie.
“He’s had one run at Redcar and won over seven furlongs and it should be similar ground to that day tomorrow. Maybe he’ll run a nice race.
“The weather has been very cold up here. It’s not very spring like, but he’s fine and he’s one of the higher-rated horses in the race.”
Bawtry trainer Tim Pitt is keen for Les Arcs, who completed a four-timer at Lingfield last week, to take his chance but is keeping an ey on the weather.
“It’s more likely than not that he’ll run at the moment,” said Pitt.
“He’s come out of the race flying and we are really, really happy with him.
“The forecast doesn’t look too good though and it has just started raining at Redcar.
“Neil Callan will ride him all being well but there is this doubt with the ground.”
