Notachance might outrun his odds at Haydock on Saturday
February 16
Haydock have had “no proper rain”, so the Lancashire course have been watering all week in an effort to obtain ground on the easy side of course for Saturday’s big Betfred Grand National Trial meeting.
Over the next 48 hours they are forecast light showers but nothing more, though the weathermen can be as inaccurate with their predictions as some racing tipsters, so Alan has declared Notachance in the hope that the word “soft” will appear somewhere in the official going report.
Alan said:”We fancied Notachance in this race two years ago, but he spread a hind plate and the toe clip went straight into his foot.
“Ever since, we have all been working hard, first to get him over the injury and then to restore his confidence, and, though it has taken a long time, the signs have been encouraging this season.
“He has shown improvement in every race and I was particularly pleased with his third place in the Classic Chase at Warwick, where he was in the firing line all the way and only lost second late on. He has been in good form since so will, hopefully, be competitive again here.”
Notachance raced off 146 when disaster struck in 2021, but he is now down to 132, so he might be overpriced around the 16-1 mark.
Alan is also hoping for a break in the weather for Forever William, who has been declared for the two mile and five handicap hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday.
Forever William showed plenty of grit and determination to win at Taunton, but Alan has now opted to equip him with cheekpieces.
He explained:”They might just help him travel better and make it a little easier for Tom Bellamy. He is notoriously laze and with the new whip rules in effect now this is the sort of horse who could get a jockey in trouble.
“Forever William did not appear to stay this trip at Cheltenham, but his stamina ought to last out better on this sharper track,”
Alan has some lovely young horses this season, and he runs two which he likes particularly in the mares bumper at Ascot.
He said:”Kay Tara Tara was an impressive winner on her debut at Lingfield, but this will be her first race on grass, so I hope the ground does not get any firmer than good. She’s a big mare whom I am very keen on, and I would not risk her if it got much faster.
“Mistral Milly is our other runner. She is a home-bred filly owned by Niall Farrell and John Murray. She is ready to start and has been doing everything right at home.”
