racing news/

Knockara Beau Set for totepool Towton Novices’ Chase
02/02/10

George Charlton is almost certain his stable star Knockara Beau will head to Wetherby for the £30,000 Grade Two totepool Towton Novices’ Chase on Saturday, February 6.

© www.wetherbyracing.co.uk

The Northumberland handler is keen to see the talented seven-year-old take in the three mile, one furlong contest and is unfazed by the presence of top-class novices such as the Nicky Henderson-trained Punchestowns among the eye-catching 17-strong entry.

This year’s fantastic entry is in keeping with the stature of the prestigious race that has in the past been won by stars such as 1997 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Mr Mulligan, Escartefigue, Keen Leader, Royal Emperor and Ollie Magern, who went on to twice land the Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (2005 & 2007).

Charlton revealed today: “I have entered Knockara Beau this morning and he is 99 per cent certain to go to Wetherby for the totepool Towton Novices’ Chase, so long as conditions are right. I’ll have a look at the opposition before a final decision is made but the Towton is the plan.

“I’m not bothered about the presence of Punchestowns and horses like that. We have to meet that calibre of horse at some stage.”

Knockara Beau, who has three wins and two seconds on the board from five starts over fences this term, finished runner-up to the highly-rated Diamond Harry in a Grade Two contest over two and a half miles at Haydock on January 23.

Charlton continued: “You take what you can get against these top-class horses. Diamond Harry put in a fantastic performance at Haydock but who’s to say he’ll be able to do it over three miles in the future. I’m confident three miles will be Knockara Beau’s trip.

“He’s come on for his Haydock run last time. He missed a bit of work beforehand and just needed that. The trip was a bit short of his best and the ground actually wasn’t as bad as people were saying.

“There was still some frost in the ground and my jockey (Jan Faltejsek) came back with barely any mud on him saying it was actually good in places rather than heavy. Good ground is not what he wants over that shorter trip.”

Knockara Beau could renew rivalry with the Ian Williams-trained Weird Al, to whom he was a neck runner-up at Cheltenham in November when conceding 8lb. Williams has also engaged Hunters Ploy.

Others of note among the entries include Grade Two December Novices’ Chase victor Burton Port from the Henderson yard, the Donald McCain-trained Khatchaturian, Bay Cherry, trained by Howard Johnson, the Paul Nicholls-trained Massasoit and The Sliotar from the David Pipe yard.

The seven-race programme kicks off at 1.15pm and runs through to 4.25pm.

Tickets are available by calling the course on 01937 582035 or online at www.wetherbyracing.co.uk.