Call of the Wild makes the switch to fences at Doncaster

December 28

Alan is never afraid to throw one of his good hurdlers straight into a novice handicap when making the transition to fences, so the appearance in Call of the Wild at Doncaster on Thursday has to be interesting.

Twice successful over hurdles for owner JP McManus – he also won his bumper first time out – Call of the Wild has always looked a potential chaser, and, assessing his chance on Town Moor, Alan said:”It was very encouraging how well he ran when third at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance over hurdles, and he has been schooling well over fences at home.”

First of our quartet to run tomorrow is Irish point-to-point winner Lunar Contact in the EBF Novice Hurdle, also on Town Moor,

Alan added:”Lunar Contact was third at Market Rasen on his Rules debut, despite almost coming down when he stumbled near the end of the first circuit. He was due to run at Taunton recently but missed the race with a bruised foot, Happily, however, he is now fully recovered

Our other Doncaster runners are Senior Citizen in the three-mile handicap chase and Restitution in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle.

Alan said:”Drying ground would suit both horses. Senior Citizen has not tackled this trip since his hurdling days, but we have put a pair of cheekpieces on to sharpen him up a little bit. And Restitution found the ground too soft at Warwick last time, so underfoot conditions should be more suitable here.”

We have just the two runners on Friday, both at Taunton. Alan said:”Mr Rumbalicious was second to a decent horse of Gary Moore’s (Perseus Way) at Leicester. That was only his second run over hurdles so was very encouraging.”

Two hours later we run Moonamacaroona, who after finishing a pleasing second at Ludlow in April, had a wind operation and only reappeared at Sandown at the start of this month.

Alan has always liked this mare, but he revealed that Friday could be her last run over hurdles before she switches to fences.