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Wednesday’s racing round-up brings news that exciting staying chaser Grey Dawning is being readied for a tilt at the King George on Boxing Day…
Dan Skelton has confirmed all roads lead towards the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day for Grey Dawning after his gallant defeat in the Betfair Chase last month. A tilt at the festive feature looked unlikely following his hard-fought second-place finish to Royale Pagaille in the mud at Haydock, but with Skelton reporting the galloping grey to have thrived in recent weeks, last year's Turners' Novices' Chase winner will now head to Kempton. Paddy Power make Grey Dawning an 8/1 chance for the King George VI Chase, with Fact To File, who needs to be supplemented, their 6/4 market leader following his triumph in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month.
Warren Greatrex has revealed his exciting prospect Good And Clever could be set for a step up to Grade 1 company, with the Formby Novices' Hurdle, formerly known as the Tolworth, at Aintree a possible target. A good third in a Grade 2 bumper at the Merseyside track in April, Warren Greatrex's charge only found the well-touted Paul Nicholls-trained Regent's Stroll too strong when runner-up on his hurdling debut at Newbury last week. Greatrex will be hoping his latest rising star can provide him with a first top-level winner since La Bague Au Roi struck in the 2019 Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
Red-hot trainers Simon and Ed Crisford landed the BetMGM Winter Oaks Trial Fillies' Handicap for the third consecutive year when Charlotte's Webb dug deep at Lingfield this afternoon. A progressive daughter of Night Of Thunder, she was sent off the 7/4 market leader to follow up handicap victories at Wolverhampton and Newcastle in recent months and although success didn't always look likely after a tardy beginning, she put her foot forward in the closing stages to prevail by a neck under talented 3lb claimer Sean Dylan Bowen. "It probably didn't go to plan from the beginning, but she was good and tough at the end," explained the champion apprentice. "She was just a small bit restless and then jumped awkward. I was trying not to be too wide the whole way round but thankfully she was tough at the line. My filly galloped out well to the line. I'd like to thank Simon and Ed (Crisford) for giving me the opportunity and Rabbah Racing."
Dan Skelton looks to have another promising type on his hands after Royal Infantry took his record to two from two over hurdles with a commanding victory at Haydock this afternoon. Having placed eighth in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Royal Infantry was sent off a short price for his hurdling debut at Chepstow last month and he duly obliged with a smooth success. Softer ground and a penalty meant Royal Infantry would face a stiffer challenge at Haydock, but he proved more than equal to the task, easing clear under a confident-looking Harry Skelton for a widening eight-and-a-half length success. Paddy Power cut the impressive winner to 20/1 (from 40s) for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Via Sienna, a full-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Via Sistina, has been added to the ARQANA Vente d'Élevage catalogue and will be offered during the first evening of the sale on Saturday 7 December in Deauville. A two-year-old daughter of Bated Breath, who is consigned by Baroda Stud, is out of a Galileo mare and herself a half-sister to two-time Group 1 scorer Kingsgate Native.
