3 minute read
Barry Fulton is praying for better luck when Easter Day lines up in the BetBright Chase at Kempton Park on Saturday.
The owner's rising star Ptit Zig fell when favourite for the Betfair Ascot Chase last weekend, while Easter Day himself came down at the third-last fence when travelling ominously well at Cheltenham four weeks ago.
Easter Day was a well-backed market leader that day and has been at the head of the ante-post betting for this valuable prize.
Fulton said: "He was going well at Cheltenham when he fell. He may have won, but you can't be sure. The jockey (Nick Scholfield) was very pleased until he made that mistake.
"I could do with one of my horses not falling over after Ptit Zig falling last weekend as well. That was two big pots out of the window!
"Easter Day schooled very well on Thursday morning. He's fit and well and we're optimistic he'll run OK. The ground should be fine."
Tap Night put in some storming work at the finish in the Cheltenham race to take third place behind Annacotty, but that was over two miles five furlongs and trainer Lucinda Russell feels there is a doubt about him seeing out this longer trip.
"There's a big question about the three miles, but the ground will be OK and he's in off a light weight," said the Kinross handler.
"It just depends if three miles is a good thing or not as he's still coming back to form. We've popped some cheekpieces on him as well, just to see if that helps."
Emma Lavelle is looking forward to stepping Fox Appeal up to three miles for the first time over fences.
The Andover handler said: "He's in very good order with himself. He loves Kempton and it will be his first try over three miles over fences, but he did win over that trip over hurdles. I think it will suit him. He's a strong traveller and you need to be in a race like this.
"With his cruising speed, Kempton should hopefully play to his strengths. I think he certainly goes there with a chance. He's been thoroughly consistent and deserves to get his head in front."
Tom George won this race twice with Nacarat and feels he has two realistic chances with Chartreux, who has been laid out for the race, and course-and-distance winner Ballinvarrig.
The Slad handler said: "This has been Chartreux's target for a while. He had a run at Kempton in January, hopefully just to put him straight.
"Ballinvarrig likes Kempton. He won there at their Christmas meeting and then we thought we'd come back here for this. He ran at Ascot (when sixth to Rebel Rebellion) and made a couple of little blunders that cost him his chance, really. He's back on a track he likes and we hope he goes well."
Le Reve arrives at the Sunbury track in good form and on the back of a second victory of the campaign at Sandown.
Trainer Lucy Wadham said: "Le Reve is very well. He won at Kempton over hurdles, so we know he handles the track OK. I'd quite like it not to get too soft.
"We didn't enter him in the Grand National this year as we were happy to leave that until next year. After his run on Saturday we will then go for the bet365 Chase at Sandown."
Rajdhani Express has been rerouted to Kempton after he was a late withdrawal from the Ascot Chase when rain turned the going soft.
"He's in great form. He would have run at Ascot last Saturday had they not had half an inch of rain overnight. He won't go on very soft ground. Kempton soft is nothing like Ascot soft," said owner Robert Waley-Cohen.
Caroline Keevil is hoping lightning can strike twice and that Bally Legend can repeat last year's success.
The Dorset trainer said: "To win it again would be lovely. Fairytales do happen sometimes. We've aimed him at this since he had a wind op. We've been getting him ready for this and hopefully we shall be firing on all cylinders. If it all goes our way, maybe we will be lucky.
"We'd have loved to have had a prep race before, but that wasn't possible for various things, and we hope it doesn't rain much more. Other than that he's in good form and we hope he flies the flag as the previous year's winner."
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