Calgary Bay

The rain that fell on Prestbury Park on Friday afternoon did nothing to aid Calgary Bay’s chances in the Gold Cup, but he still ran really well, much better than his finishing position in sixth place, some 40 lengths behind the winner, suggest. He was a little free in the early stages for Graham Lee, and he didn’t jump as well as he can, but he was still right there, one of just five horses in contention as they raced down to the third last. From there, however, he couldn’t match his rivals for stamina, the hill and the energy-sapping ground taking their toll. As long as he has recovered from his Cheltenham exertions on time, he could be a different proposition at Aintree if the ground comes up good. The best run of the Henrietta Knight-trained gelding’s career to date was probably his penultimate run, when he danced in in a competitive three-mile handicap chase on good ground at Doncaster, a track that is not wholly dissimilar to Aintree in terms of configuration. He could go well at a big price if he takes his chance in the Totesport Bowl at the Grand National meeting.

19th March 2010

© The Sunday Times, 28th March 2010