ALAN KING mays send his exciting hurdling prospect Manyriverstocross to Haydock a week on Saturday to face Starluck.
The four-year-old has run well on the Flat during the summer ad is rated 97. He made a winning start to his hurdling career with an impressive victory at Chepstow last week.
Now King is looking to Haydock’s North West Masters meeting.
King said: “It was a very pleasing performance and he seemed to relish that soft ground.
“He could be quite exciting but, while we will have a look at the Tune Into Timeform Radio Hurdle at Haydock on November 21, there is talk of Starluck going there and with only one hurdle race under our belts, it might be unwise to take him on just yet.
“The alternative is the Robert Giles Agencies Introductory Hurdle at Ascot the previous day and it will probably be one or the other, but we have definitely ruled out a race at Cheltenham’s Paddy Power meeting as that will come too quick.”
Meanwhile Big Zeb is now a best-priced 8-1 with Ladbrokes to upset Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase after his victory in yesterday’s Ladbrokes.com Fortria Chase at Navan.
Colm Murphy’s eight-year-old was only just beaten by a head by Paul Nicholls’ dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero in the Kerrygold Champion Chase at Punchestown in April.
But on his return to action he was very impressive. Sent off the 11-10 favourite for the Grade Two event he was partnered by Barry Geraghty, who was standing in for the injured Matt O’Connor.
Geraghty tracked leader Made In Taipan and was still on bridle coming to the last furlong and when he asked to win his race, he eased to the front to score by half a length.
Totesport were so impressed they now make him just 4-1 for the Champion Chase, with Master Minded now a best-priced 11-10 with William Hill, Stan James and Paddy Power for his hat-trick bid.
Big Zeb’s trainer said: “We’ll either go to Sandown (for the Tingle Creek) or for the John Durkan next. We’ll see how he comes out of the race.
“I’d have preferred not to run him on this sort of ground but there was nothing else for him and he needed more experience over fences.
“Ground will decide where we’ll go next. I think he’ll be a stone better on better ground.”
TODAY’S NAP: Joe's A Boy (3.30pm Carlisle)
