Masaccio takes on the big boys at Newbury on Friday

November 28

What locals still refer to as Newbury’s Hennessy Festival has always been one of Alan’s highlights of the jumps season, and he will need no reminding that he celebrated four winners at the meeting in 2014, and 12 months later he finally bagged the big one, the Hennessy Gold Cup, courtesy of the never-to-be-forgotten Barbury hero Smad Place.

And, while Alan has not managed to win Newbury’s most prestigious steeplechase since – under either the Ladbrokes or Coral sponsorship – he has alway been very keen to support the meeting, though this year his only representative over the two days is Masaccio in what looks a high-quality Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase there tomorrow.

Masaccio might be the lowest rated of the six runners, but he has had just the one run over fences so far, and Alan was “well pleased” with the way he won over this same course and distance three weeks ago.

Alan admits that Masaccio, who was a useful hurdler last season, is sometimes not the best of movers on the gallops, but you could not pick holes in the way in which he travelled on that chasing debut, and recovering quickly from an awkward landing at the first fence in the straight, he had the speed to master Twinjets at the last, winning by two lengths.

“Masaccio has worked well since that first run and schooled nicely on Monday, so we’ve decided to give it a go,” added Alan, who stresses that he is a relaxed individual so will stay further than this two and a half miles in time.

We also have two runners at Doncaster on Friday, Adaay Forever in the Junior “NH” Hurdle and Royal Deeside in the handicap hurdle just short of two and a half miles.

Alan said:”Unfortunately, Adaay Forever got brought down at the second at Wetherby, and then when he went to Bangor last time he was a bit novicey over the first few fences and did well to finish third. However, I think that run has brought him on plenty and he schooled lovely on Monday, so I’m hoping that he’ll step forward again.”

Royal Deeside has been placed in five of his seven races over hurdles, but Alan feels that he has just been galloping on at the one pace, so is keen to see if this step up in trip brings about the necessary improvement.

We also have a couple heading off to Town Moor on Saturday, with Admiralty House and Betterforeveryone making the trip to Yorkshire.

Alan said:”Betterforeveryone won at Doncaster last season, and I was pleased with his comeback fourth at Chepstow last month as he always improves for a race.

“Rupert Anton, his owner, could well  beon his travels this winter as Betterforeveryone looks like one for the regional Nationals. Off his rating I hope he can still do some damage.

“Admiralty House had decent form over hurdles before he was off for nearly two years with a leg injury, but he made an encouraging return when he finished second at Wincanton in mid-October and we’ve given him time to get over that run.”