Tricker worry for Moore

Gary Moore admits Harry Tricker will need to improve again to defy a 17lb rise in the weights in Saturday's totesport Trophy at Newbury.

The six-year-old won off 121 at Sandown before chasing home Khyber Kim in the Greatwood Hurdle before Christmas, and must now race from a mark of 138.

Harry Tricker is amongst the market leaders for the big handicap but the trainer has his doubts.

"I don't know if Harry Tricker can overcome the 17lb rise, it's a tough one, it's a massive rise," said Moore.

"He's had a good build up, he's had a fair good break and I think he runs well fairly fresh but it is a massive rise in the weights. I suppose he half deserves it for running so close to Khyber Kim.

"It was always the plan to save him for the race after the Greatwood and it is more than likely Andrew Glassonbury will ride to take 3lb off him again."

Moore, who has already won the race twice, could also be represented by former Greatwood winner Numide and First Avenue.

Settling better

"Numide is back on track, I'm more happier now with him than I have been at any time throughout the year," he added.

"I sent him away after his last run over hurdles for a change of environment and he's come back and is settling a lot better now.

"Before he was trying to do 50mph in a 30mph speed limit if you like.

"He jumped fences well enough but he didn't achieve much at it. He looks great now and I'd be quite happy with him.

"He is nearly off a mark that is winnable and he would have more class than my other two winners, Wingman and Heathcote.

"I can't believe First Avenue got beat at Kempton, it was probably a better run when he was third to Ronaldo des Mottes. We'll leave the cheek pieces on him.

"The only reason I've left in him in is he might just be better in a truer run race where he's got more to run at.

"It's a race I definitely like to target, I was sick that it was off last year because Numide was at the top of his game and had been trained especially for it but they called it off. I hope the same doesn't happen again this year.

"You've got to target decent races because of the prize money factor really."

Plan

David Pipe also appears to have two leading fancies in Ronaldo Des Mottes and Mamlook.

"Ronaldo des Mottes and Mamlook are both in good form, they came out of their last races very well and this has always been the plan for them since," said Pipe.

"The race that Ronaldo won at Kempton was competitive but I don't know about the standard, but he was impressive. Timmy (Murphy) got after him and he put his head down and battled and he was pulling away at the end.

"He's run right-handed on most occasion but I can't see Newbury or going left-handed being a problem really, the ground should be fine and this has been the plan.

"Mamlook is very versatile as regards the trip and in this race they go a good gallop.

"Newbury is a lovely galloping track and he wouldn't be slow at home. He's been placed in races like the Cesarewitch and Ascot Stakes yet possesses speed as well and he's always been a very good traveller in all his hurdle races.

"In theory he is 2lb well-in and he has a nice weight if Blue Bajan stays in.

"I would have thought Tom Scudamore will ride Mamlook with Timmy on Ronaldo des Mottes.