Ranjaan, Balder Succes and Olofi, testing trio for the testing conditions of the Ladbroke Hurdle
The 2012-2013 steeplechase season has had bad luck with weather and consequently the ground conditions. It began with some really important withdrawals from the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Darlan, who now will open the season with the Christmas Hurdle, was ruled out by the trainer, Nicky Henderson. The new in profession trainer, Harry Fry, had to pull out Rock On Ruby, who recently took part in the StanJames.com International Hurdle which he lost to the previous stable mate, Zarkandar.
One of the highlight hurdles racing spectacle, King George VI Chase, was also scaled down due to the testing ground conditions. The tragic close to the campaign of the Paul Nicholls’ trained, Al Ferof, was due to a tendon injury, but the Henry De Bromhead trained, Sizing Europe, was withdrawn owing to the ground conditions. Another entry who will not contest anymore is, First Lieutenant.
The Ladbroke Hurdle on the Ascot card has some similar issues, but it is being predicted that the Tom George trained, Olofi, is all set to make the most out of the trip.
The trainer commented:
"He seems to get on very well on softer ground running some good races. It doesn't inconvenience him as much as others.”
"If you look at his form from last year when he was running behind some good horses he deserves to be where is in the handicap."
The six-year-old grey gelding had his impressive opening in the Grade 3 Racing Post Hurdle on 18th November, 2012 at Cheltenham race course over two miles and half a furlong.
Content with the going is the Paul Nicholls’ trained, Ranjaan and also the entry of Alan King, Balder Succes. Both will bring on high-profile contention in the field which will also be backed by Olofi now as he is looking forward to the challenging ground conditions.
The clerk at the race course commented:
Speaking on At The Races, Stickels said: "We've got rain coming in later tonight, early hours tomorrow and through tomorrow. The bulk of the rain is forecast mid to late morning tomorrow.
"The forecast suggests 6mm by 8am, 13mm by 10am, 18mm by 1pm. It's taken it better today than we expected it to and I feel it'll take quite a lot more tomorrow. I'm pretty optimistic, it's looking good.
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