Dubai Hills attempts to win his fourth race in 23 days at Southwell today, when humping 10st 5lbs in the 'aged' handicap over seven furlongs. He carries a 12lbs penalty for two successes last week.This Brian Smart-trained, five-year-old is no 'camel' and has destroyed opposition with unchallenged victories on fibresand but a colossal burden weighs heavily on the 'deep stuff' and Conry is set to carry 13lbs less!
According to my time-handicap, it's a physical impossibility for Dubai Hills to beat an in-form Conry, so impressive when achieving a career-best, on heavy Catterick ground last November. We napped him next time and he won, under a superb ride from apprentice, Julie Burke.The wee lass is holidaying in her Native Ireland until the end of this month. Stephen Craine deputises, none better than this former 'jumps' jockey.
This promises to be absolutely fascinating, as we watch Dubai Hills closely as they approach the closing stages; will he, or wont he, be able to...?Top-weight shouldn't prevent Sir Louis achieving a course and distance follow-up in the 'aged' handicap over six furlongs, best bet on the seven-race programme, which carries total prize-money of £18,000!
It's time to scrap prize-money altogether because winning 'about a grand' is neither here nor there given that it costs, on average, about £60 a day to keep a thoroughbred!In order to offset costs and make it more viable (and sensible!) tracks should pay out on appearance money, plus travels costs; would Robbie Williams pay to enter the Palladium?
Eleven days ago, Sir Louis improved considerably to score by a length from Bel Cantor, staying on determinedly under Brian McHugh. He's replaced by apprentice George Challoner, claiming full 7lbs allowance.That offsets a 6lbs penalty. Malton trainer, Richard Fahey, thinks highly of Challoner and this is a trump card worth playing.