Highly-rated Blues Singer set to return at Ascot in the bumper

Alan has a high opinion of Helnwein, but he stressed before Warwick that whatever he did on his chasing debut on the Midlands course he will improve as the season progressed.

It was as if Alan is psychic as Helnwein came to win his race going to the final fence on his much-awaited chasing debut but then blew up on the run-in. To anybody who backed him win only, I’d feel confident in suggesting that those losses on Wednesday are only on loan.

Ascot are forecast to get plenty of rain on Saturday, so Alan is relieved that Hall Lane, who wants decent ground, is engaged in the three-mile chase there on Friday.

Alan said:”Hall Lane disappointed on his comeback at Huntingdon recently, so we schooled him in cheekpieces on Monday and he’ll wear the headgear at Ascot. Once the weather breaks he’ll be back on a break as he has to have good ground.”

Should the rain reach Ascot earlier than predicted, that would suit Blues Singer, who is entered for the bumper. Alan added:”We like him a lot, and he was very impressive when winning a bumper on his debut at Kempton last March.

“It’s always difficult to evaluate the strength of those junior bumpers for four-year-olds only, but we think Blues Singer is smart. We are looking forward to getting him going again, though we opted out of a couple of races this season as I wouldn’t risk him on quick ground.”