Helnwein aims to start his chasing career in style at Warwick on Wednesday
November 18
This could be an important week for what Alan calls “a potentially exciting bunch of novice chasers”, and Menaggio took another step up the ladder when making it 2-2 over fences in the space of just four weeks at Plumpton today.
There are a shortage of races available for first-season novices, so like Nicky Henderson, Alan is never afraid to kick-start one of his youngsters in a handicap when switching codes, and, only 4lb higher than when winning nine lengths over the same course last month, Menaggio was, if anything, even more impressive, winning by 11 lengths.
Menaggio never looked like being beaten, taking command after the third last and stretching clear for another easy victory. True, he has only beaten a total of four horses in two races so far, but he has looked a natural over fences and Alan thinks he could improve again when he steps up to two and a half miles.
Warwick is one of Alan’s favourite jumps tracks, and he often chooses the Midlands course to start one of his better youngsters over fences, something he is doing on Wednesday with Helnwein, who is another example of Alan pitching one of his highly-rated novices straight into a handicap.
Alan said:”Helnwein did well over hurdles last season and won a decent novice handicap at Sandown on the final day. He always looked the sort who would take to fences and, having enjoyed a good summer, he has impressed on the schooling grounds. He could be quite exciting,”
Oscar Palmer rides Baskerville in the conditional jockey handicap hurdle, and Alan said:”I was very pleased with his second at Hereford last month, when, ridden by Oscar, he did everything right bar win. I’d be disappointed if he didn’t win again over hurdles this winter, and, looking ahead, he could also be exciting over fences in the spring.”
Our other Warwick runner is Ernest Gray in the handicap hurdle. Alan said:”Ernest Gray was a bit hit and miss last season. He won well over fences at Southwell as well as finishing a good second at Doncaster, but he was then a bit disappointing.
“However, following a good summer’s break, Ernest Gray came back fresh and well, and he made a satisfactory return over hurdles at Exeter, so we will stick with hurdling for the time being.
Alan has four entries at Warwick on Thursday, but he has until 10am tomorrow to decide which ones to give the green light. Doubtless, he will be keeping an eye on the weather overnight, but we’ll await the final decs before we get Alan’s views on the quartet, which include one or two other potentially smart youngsters.
