Crack Away Jack (near) fails to live with Somersby (farside) at Sandown
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.comLavelle has no fears about Somersby rematch
EMMA LAVELLE, trainer of leading Irish Independent Arkle contender Crack Away Jack, insists that she has no fears about her stable star engaging in a rematch with his Betinternet.com Henry VIII Novices' Chase conqueror Somersby at the Cheltenham Festival.
Crack Away Jack, a close fourth behind Punjabi in last season's Smurit Kappa Champion Hurdle, had announced himself as a highly promising chaser when he had won on his debut at Sandown, but finished a two-and-three-quarter lengths runner-up to Henrietta Knight's imposing Somersby in Saturday's race.
"God, no. Not at all. I'd have no problems taking him on again," the trainer said on Sunday. "Look, it was a good race, I wouldn't take anything away from the winner or any other of the runners. . . But nothing's really changed, to be honest.
"It's a very testing track, and Crack Away Jack was just a little bit green about doing it. He's a very smart horse, but he just lacked that little bit of fluency yesterday over his fences, and that cost him winning the race.
"He's come out of the race very well, is 100 per cent sound, and everything seems good with him. He'll have gained a lot more experience yesterday than he did from his first run."
