Rathy after having a pick of grass yesterday with his number one fan Emma
RATH AN IUIR (4.10) is our only runner across at Haydock this afternoon, taking his place in a marathon three-miles-four chase. He ran a blinder in the Eider last time out, finishing fifth on lively ground which wouldn’t have been up his street at all so we left Newcastle pleased with his effort - and even happier that the handicapper has dropped him a pound for it!
Soft ground today will be far more suitable for him, while extreme trips like this one are precisely what he wants as it brings his reserves of stamina into play. The cheek pieces he wore last time stay on after working well last time and Craig Nichol rides once more.
It’s a competitive race with a few recent winners in it as well as a mixture of experienced horses and those who might be on the upgrade. But Rathy has shown in his last two runs he’s back to form again and having run well at Newcastle a few times before a track like Haydock shouldn’t be a problem for him.