Valuable new prize attracts a classy line-up

Paul Nicholls has a staggering 33 per cent strike-rate so far this season

Paul Nicholls: three winners from eight runners at track in past five seasonsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Omni Security Michaelmas Handicap Hurdle | 1m7f171y | RUK

With £15,640 to the winner it is no wonder the inaugural running of this contest has attracted a classy field of seven runners. The line-up includes Swinton Hurdle second All Set To Go, French Listed hurdle winner Optimus Prime, Irish Grade 3 runner-up Prussian Eagle, and Beltor, the five-length winner of Kempton's Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle last year.

Moore in profit
Jamie Moore, who partners Prussian Eagle, has a solid hurdles record at the track over the past five seasons with five winners from 37 runners for a £1 level-stake profit of £8.00.

Quality counts
Paul Nicholls has saddled just eight runners over hurdles at the course over the past five seasons but boasts a 38 per cent strike-rate with three winners.

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of All Set To Go

He has a chance as long as it doesn't get any softer. A flat track and faster ground suits him. He was going to go to Wincanton, but that looked a hot race. Stan Sheppard rides him well. He was fairly straight first time up, but they all come on for a run anyway.

Robert Stephens, trainer of Beltor

He got injured in the Fighting Fifth last year. He chipped a bone in a knee and we had to have it removed. His last two runs of the season were obviously disappointing, but he's had a nice break since and he seems in good shape, so hopefully we can get him back on track.

Tim Vaughan, trainer of Ruacana

He has come out of his last run fine. His best form is over two miles at Musselburgh, which is a similar track on soft ground, and with the prize-money on offer and a small field we thought we'd give it a go. He's probably a bit high in the weights, but he's a good, honest horse and we'll see how we get on.

Evan Williams, trainer of Prussian Eagle

I don't know much about him yet. We need to run him somewhere and we should get lovely ground to start him off.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Robinshill

He ran really well when winning last time and he's gone up 12lb for that. We have Tom Humphries taking off 10lb and good to soft ground should be fine for him.

Lucy Wadham, trainer of Mystic Sky

She's running back very quickly after her run last Friday but she's in good form. We just thought it was worth a go trying her off a low weight on soft ground. The ground at the moment is fine, although the more it dries the better for her.

Cathal GahanRacing Post Reporter

Published on 7 November 2016inPreviews

Last updated 17:02, 7 November 2016

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