Lucy’s hoping switch pays off
LUCY Wadham is banking on a return to hurdling to spark a change in fortunes for El Dancer, writes Graham Clark.
Plans are in place for the former Grade Two winner to return to the smaller obstacles in the Class Two William Hill Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.
The switch to revert the eight year old back over hurdles comes after encountering a frustrating short spell novice chasing.
Despite being sent off favourite for both races over fences, the former winner of the Grade Two Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, failed to make any impact in either after tasting defeat at both Fakenham and Wetherby.
“I think we will be going to Kempton with El Dancer but we are ground dependant with him. As long as it remains good to soft he will head there,” said Wadham.
“He has been disappointing over fences and this is a very competitive hurdle race on his switch back. We schooled him over hurdles on Tuesday to put him in shape for Saturday.
“The handicapper has dropped him a few pounds since his last run over hurdles so he should be on a competitive mark.”
The Moulton Paddocks handler could well enjoy an across the card double on Saturday should Mr Jay Dee oblige in the three-mile-one-furlong Pertemps Handicap Hurdle at Warwick.
Last time out over two and half miles at Huntingdon, the seven year old made all to score by two and three quarter lengths.
“Mr Jay Dee should be heading to Warwick on Saturday. I am never confident but he has been in good form at home and I think he will see the trip out well,” added Wadham. “On what he has achieved so far he certainly looks high enough in the weights.”
Meanwhile, the next target for stable star Alarazi has been set following his sixth place finish in the Class Two 32Red Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.
“Alarazi put in a solid performance on Saturday and was right there until the second last,” said Wadham.
“I think the big weight told and he just got tired in the sticky ground. He will now go for what was the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury next month.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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