Es Perfecto aims to give us the perfect boost for Cheltenham at Sandown tomorrow

March 8

Alan has never been one to waste money on owners entry fees when he knows the seemingly never-ending spell of testing ground is all against the large majority of his horses and will result in them repeatedly being denied a run.

Before Ayr’s twosome today, Barbury have had only five runners so far this month, and Alan envisages “only three at best” at next week’s Cheltenham Festival,

However, with Tom Cannon all smiles after coming down to ride stable-star Edwardstone in his last piece of strong work before the Queen Mother Champion Chase at first lot on Thursday morning, Alan is happy enough going into the best four days of jump racing.

Doubtless, he’ll be even more chipper if we can have a Saturday winner, courtesy of Es Perfecto in the novice handicap chase at Sandown.

Gavin Sheehan gets on well with Es Perfecto, and he takes the ride for the third time this winter in a race, which while competitive, is a drop in grade from his excellent third to Paul Nicholls’s Cheltenham fancy Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham in January.

Alan said:”I just hope the ground does not get any worse than soft as Es Perfecto has been running well over fences, jumping soundly, and it would be great if he could get his head in front again. This looks a good opportunity, so fingers crossed.”

We also have a couple going to Hereford tomorrow, Rockwiththetimes running in a first-time visor in the three mile and one hurdle, while Dancing in Brazil has been gelded since his last run, though he is another whose chance in the maiden hurdle would be improved if the ground dried out.

Alan is very keen to aim Kay Tara Tara at the big mares hurdle final at Newbury later this month, so he has sent her across the border today for what is the last chance to qualify,

He explained:”Kay Tara Tara has been repeatedly thwarted by abandonments and bad ground, and she has to finish in the first six to get in the Newbury race, so, hopefully, she can run another solid race on my home track.”