TOM GEORGE expects to be inundated with jockeys wanting to ride Nacarat in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Sam Thomas was on board the grey when he landed the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby by a wide margin last time out, but he will partner the Paul Nicholls-trained What A Friend in Saturday’s Grade One feature.
And with Paddy Brennan aboard the current odds-on favourite Imperial Commander, George is on the look-out for a jockey to ride the nine-year-old.
He said: “We haven’t decided who will ride him yet, I need to speak to his owner, Simon Clarke. I’m sure somebody will make themselves available, we won’t be short of offers.
“It’s just unfortunate that Paddy and Sam, the two guys who could have ridden him, are required for other runners, that’s just the way it goes.
“If the ground stays as it is (good to soft), he’ll run. He did his final piece of work this morning which we were very happy with and as long as the ground doesn’t deteriorate it will be fine. We wouldn’t run him on heavy.
“We’ve just kept him ticking over since Wetherby. In a perfect world I’d have liked another week with him, but this was his only option before the King George.
“He’s come out of Wetherby unbelievably well. In the past we’ve had to send him swimming for two weeks but now we’ve got the measure of all that, it’s been a lot easier with him.
“The King George really suits him and you could say that without Kauto (Star) last year we would have won it but nothing beats Kauto when he’s in that form.
“He really enjoys Kempton and I think he’s improved since last year so we just hope it isn’t too soft there.
“We’ve been able to train him properly this year whereas before we were always going round in circles.”
Thomas had a tough choice to make, but with Ruby Walsh injured, he has decided to stay loyal to What A Friend, on whom he won the Lexus Chase.
Thomas said: “This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make in racing and Simon Clarke has been an absolute gentleman. Obviously, both have it all to do to beat Imperial Commander but I’m confident that I have made the right decision.”
Meanwhile Lucinda Russell is yet to decide whether Silver By Nature will line up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday or wait for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury a week later.
