Waley-Cohen frustration over race-time switch

STRAVINSKY DANCE could miss the Totesport Trophy at Newbury on Saturday, for which she is 12-1 with the sponsor, because a change in race times means her regular rider Sam Waley-Cohen will be unable to get to the track from Warwick, where he isdue to partner Long Run.

Waley-Cohen, whose family own both horses, had planned to take a helicopter between both tracks but a change to the timings of the Newbury race, which will now start 35 minutes earlierat 3.10, means there will not be enough time for Waley-Cohen to get from Warwick, where Long Run is due to contest the Totesport.com Kingmaker Novices' Chase at 2.20, to ride Stravinsky Dance in the £150,000 handicap hurdle, who was entered for the race on Monday afternoon.

"They've changed the wretched timings," the amateur rider said.

"It's very frustrating. I will definitely ride at Warwick. I definitely won't get off Long Run. We will have to see what we do with Stravinsky Dance. I suspect she won't run if I can't ride.
We have to make that decision closer to the race. If she is in fantastic form we might just run her anyway but I suspect the inclination is to not run her."

With an uncertain weather forecast Waley-Cohen said the options will be left open until later in the week - Long Run has also been given an entry at Newbury - but he is eager to be reunited with Long Run, who announced himself as a major jumps talent with his British debut victory in the Williamhill.com Feltham Novices Chase over 3m at Kempton.
Saturday's race will be run over 2m.