Daryl Jacob is looking forward to riding Valtor in the veterans chase at Sandown on Saturday while he reflects on the highs and lows of Kempton.
Weekend Rides
It’s a bit of a quiet weekend now with Cheltenham off on New Year’s Day but I’ve got my fingers firmly crossed that Sandown gets the green light on Saturday.
I’ll be going there if it is on to ride VALTOR in the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase and he looks a good fit for those races.
He’s rising 12 but he’s relatively lightly-raced in England and he’s looking well-handicapped now the assessor has dropped him a few pounds.
Indeed, he’s now rated 145 which is 3lb lower than when he bolted up at Ascot on his British debut, while we know going right-handed on soft ground suits him as well.
I’m looking forward to getting back on him.
I could also be on SHAKEM UP’ARRY in the Grade 1 Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle if he’s declared and he’s another one that won’t mind testing ground.
It was heavy when he was second to Shishkin at Newbury last year and given he’s a second season novice he’s got more experience than most of these.
He was impressive when shedding his maiden tag at Ffos Las and his close-up fourth in a good handicap hurdle at Haydock last time was a career-best, so hopefully he can run well.
Looking ahead to Plumpton on Sunday I could be on VALLERES in the EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle for Alan King and he's a horse I like.
He won at Wetherby and has been second the last twice, but I hope he can get back on the winning trail.
I think going back left-handed will suit him, while hopefully we’ll get a truly-run race as that would be ideal for him, too. He’s a nice horse.
Kempton reflections
I had a few highs and a few lows at Kempton over the festive period.
REAL STEEL gave me a great spin in the King George until he bled and then SCEAU ROYAL came up too early at a fence alongside Altior in the Desert Orchid.
It was as simple as that, he just didn’t get to the other side, although I blame myself for the ride I gave him. He’s okay and hopefully will have better days on better ground.
It was great to get a winner on the board at Kempton, though, and although he was 25/1 the win of MONTE CRISTO wasn’t that much of a surprise to us.
We’ve always thought he could be a nice horse and last year he was just a bit big and weak and he has taken time to come to himself. His body is letting him put in a performance like that now.
He bolted up and jumped super, quickening away nicely in good fashion, which gives hope that he can cope with a rise in grade which he’ll have to try now the handicapper has put him 12lb.
Hopefully he can make the jump, but there are no immediate plans for him yet.
I’ve still not really worked out what to make of IF THE CAP FITS’ run in the Grade One Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.
He had the cheekpieces back on and I thought they’d help him travel better, but he just didn’t travel at any stage. His jumping was good all the way, but I had to get after him very early and he just kept going and was only beaten seven lengths at the line.
There are positives to take from the way he finished his race and perhaps the track wasn’t ideal for him, so maybe we’ll try three miles on a stiffer track next time. We’ll sit down and have a think about plans for him.
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