Sevenkingsmustdie slays rivals at Wolverhampton

Sevenkingsmustdie enjoyed a change of fortune after opening his account at the seventh time of asking with a tenacious success in the Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap at Wolverhampton on Tuesday.

Having finished a close up third over course and distance on his penultimate start, the son of Sea The Stars, who Alan owns as well as trains, went two places better when accounting for his five rivals in the mile and a half contest.

Although needing a fair amount of encouragement, Sevenkingsmustdie stuck to the task in hand well under Luke Morris before prevailing by half a length from Currumbin.

Alan said: “It was great to see him win. We don’t use Luke Morris that often, but when we do he has got a hell of a strike rate for us. I just thought he would suit this horse. He gave him a terrific ride.

“He might win again as he won’t go up much for that. At the end of the day he has now got a one next to his name, which some thought he might never get.”

There was to be no success in the bet365 Cambridgeshire for Alcarath at Newmarket last Saturday, however Alan has attributed the defeat down to the unseasonably quick conditions on the Rowley Mile.

And while another outing on the Flat might beckon before the season is out, Alan is looking forward to switching the son of Acclamation to hurdles.

Alan said: “He ran very well, but the ground was a bit quick and he didn’t really let himself down. We might give him one more run on the flat if we get the ground, but the plan is to go hurdling with him. He could be awfully exciting over hurdles.

“He hasn’t seen a hurdle yet, but I would be very surprised if he didn’t take to it.”

On the same afternoon Wolf Bay found only Mister Whippy too strong on his first venture outside of maiden and novice company in the William Hill Price Boosts Every Day Nursery Handicap.

Alan said: “He ran really well, but the handicapper has put him up another pound for it. He seems to love a bit of dig in the ground. I will probably give him one more run this season. I think we will stick at seven furlongs. He will do well as a three year old.”

Victory might have eluded Alan’s three runners at Kempton Park on Wednesday, however Deedaydiva showed she is back on track when finishing fifth in the Try Unibet’s New Improved Acca Boosts Handicap.

In addition to her run, there was also a pleasing introduction for Sashimono, who finished sixth in the Bet £20 Get £20 With Unibet Maiden Stakes.

Alan said: “I was happy with Sashimono. We are back on track with Deedaydiva. She was a bit unlucky not to get placed as she got stopped a couple of times.

“I would love to get her out on the turf before the end of the season, but she needs rain. If I can find a fillies race over ten furlongs on softish ground that would be ideal for her.”

Looking ahead to the coming weeks, Alan insists he will be monitoring the weather closely before firming up plans with a number of his Flat team that hold big race entries.

Alan said: “Daiquiri Bay is very well. If it rains he will go to Ascot on Champions Day, but if it doesn’t he will go over to France for the Prix Royal-Oak. I do want to run him in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot, but I don’t want to run him on quick ground.

“Spyce might still run in the Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket on Saturday, however the Cesarewitch horses, Believitanducan and Blazeon Five, would need the rain to run, and I can’t see any coming at the moment.”