TWO runners at Musselburgh this weekend, one on either afternoon of their two-day Cheltenham trials meeting. First up today is CAPTAIN QUINT (4.00) in the 3m handicap chase. I’m kicking myself for not running at Doncaster and waiting for Newcastle, where it came up so soft it was barely raceable. So we’re coming here for the ground, even though Musselburgh is a bit of an experiment for him. We’re not sure it will suit but we’re going to give it a go because we’ve been there with other horses we didn’t think would like it in the past and they won so you never know. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
It will be interesting to see how he performs because all winter he’s just been a bit low and we’ve not been able to get to the bottom of it. We’ve done every kind of test known to man on him but nothing has shown up and in the last few weeks he’s started to come back to himself again. Maybe it’s just the time of year and, like people, the days getting a little bit longer has given him an energy boost!
WHELAN’S BRIDGE (4.05) runs on Sunday and he falls into the same bracket as Captain in that we’re not sure he will enjoy the sharpness of the track but we’re looking for better ground as well. He’s had his soft palate fired, is well handicapped and is in good order after his comeback run at Ayr in December, where he travelled well for a long way before blowing up and Brian Hughes looked after him.
I’ve no doubt he will be seen to best effect on a big, galloping track but right now options are limited and he’ll get that in the spring when things dry up a bit. So both runners are a bit of a step into the unknown, but there’s enough in their favour to hopefully make it worthwhile.