Midnight Shadow was a wide-margin winner at Cheltenham in November and returned to the track with an excellent third at the same track last month; Fusil Raffles is expected to be favourite in the race for Nicky Henderson; Cap Du Nord runs for the Christian Williams team
Saturday 29 January 2022 09:23, UK
Sue Smith will be on a "learning curve" when Midnight Shadow steps up to three miles for the first time in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster on Saturday (3.20pm).
The nine-year-old has had a tremendous season being campaigned at around two and a half miles, with victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and third place in both the Old Roan Chase and the Racing Post Gold Cup.
Now connections have decided to try him over three miles in a valuable contest Smith took with Wakanda in 2018.
"He ran a nice race at Cheltenham last time and he has done nothing wrong this season at all," said the Bingley handler.
"You can't ask for a lot more than what he has been doing. This will be his first time going up to three miles over fences. It will be a learning curve for us on Saturday.
"He is in very good form, and the feeling is that he will stay every inch of the three miles, but you just have to wait and see.
"As long as the ground is safe - good ground, without the word firm in it - that will be the main thing."
Brian Ellison is bullish about the prospects of Windsor Avenue, who is is equipped with headgear for the first time.
"He's worked absolutely tremendous with the blinkers on and I think he's got a massive chance," said the North Yorkshire handler.
"He ran well on his first run of the season at Bangor, then he ran in the Rowland Meyrick (at Wetherby) and got stuck on the inside and he doesn't like horses around him.
"We're putting the blinkers on him on Saturday and to be honest, we couldn't have him any better. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't run a big race."
Christian Williams is delighted the weights have gone up 4lb as it means Cap Du Nord is now in the handicap proper and will run off bottom weight of 10st.
Cap Du Nord was third 12 months ago when the ground was unsuitable and the Glamorgan trainer cannot wait for the nine-year-old to have another go at the prestigious prize.
"The top weight has come out so we're bang in the handicap proper and we're looking forward to it," he said.
"He ran well in it last year on messy ground so we're hoping the ground might suit him a bit better on Saturday."
Debece returns after 322 days off the track with trainer Dan Skelton hoping the 11-year-old can put up a good show.
"He has a chance. He's not getting any younger, but he did have a good run for us last year," he said.
"He's made of glass, so I've not told him he's declared yet!"
Sandy Thomson has drawn a line through Hill Sixteen's run in the Welsh Grand National and is hoping for a similar performance that saw the nine-year-old go down by only a nose to Snow Leopardess in the Becher Chase at Aintree.
"Hill Sixteen, like many horses, Chepstow just didn't happen for him. The ground was deep and for whatever reason, he didn't handle it," he said.
"He has won over hurdles on good ground and the owner is keen to go for the National, but obviously he is not going to get in at the moment, so he will have to run a big race on Saturday.
"Ryan (Mania, assistant trainer) has obviously jumped ship (for Midlight Shadow), but I am not sure he is correct - time will tell. There is only one way to find out!"
Bryony Frost is looking forward to riding Grand Sancy for Paul Nicholls, who also saddles Kapcorse.
"He has no weight at all and hopefully it's good ground, which will make it easier for him," she said.
"I've been riding him a little bit at home and he's in brilliant health, so fingers crossed."
