Monday, 25 January 2010

Looking Ahead...Donny` On Saturday


Calgary Bay will attempt to defy the steadier of 11st 12lb in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on Saturday.

The seven-year-old showed his liking for three miles at the South Yorkshire venue when successful over the course and distance in December.

He made light of 11st 10lb that day as he came home seven lengths clear of Alderburn, who was also among 36 confirmations for the valuable handicap chase.

"He's on course for Doncaster. He's got a hell of a lot of weight, but he is a huge horse," said trainer Henrietta Knight.

"I think he can carry it, but I think there might be something else a bit nippier down the bottom with a low weight. This race has always been our aim since the previous time."

Gone To Lunch is also on target for the race ahead of a return visit to Ayr for the Scottish Grand National, in which he was second last April.

Trainer Jeremy Scott said: "We covered the Sky Bet entry with one in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, just in case of bad weather at Doncaster.

"He seems in good order at present. The ground didn't suit him at all in the Welsh National last time. It was fairly desperate.

"I'd like it if he had less weight than 11st 7lb, but he carried top-weight when he was second in the Scottish National. The bigger worry would be the trip. The further he goes, the better chance he has. Three miles is plenty short enough."

Would-be leading fancy Hennessy was not among the acceptors after being ruled out with a season-ending tendon injury.