Richard Fahey can add to Doc’s legacy

By JOE ROWNTREE
Published on 15/12/2012 13:22

RICHARD Fahey has made his reputation as a top class trainer on the flat, but the ex-jump jockey knows a thing or two about the winter game, too.

He can strike at Musselburgh tomorrow with Doc’s Legacy, on a day when punters get in for free (3pm inspection due today).

A winner twice on the level last year, he failed to score this summer, but turned in a couple of decent performances, especially when chasing home a useful winner at Redcar in October and then finishing third in a competitive affair at York. The gelding caught my eye when 
making his debut over hurdles at Catterick recently where he jumped well and finished in good style.

He was four lengths adrift of Totalize who was runner-up, but I got the impression that Doc’s Legacy would learn a lot from that experience and he is taken to turn the tables in the Watch Racing on UK on Freeview Juvenile Hurdle (2.30) on the East Lothian track.

Lord Wishes was an impressive winner of both his bumpers in the spring for James Ewart, making all the running to score by a dozen lengths on his debut at Ayr and following up in style at Haydock, even though he had a problem with gastric ulcers. The five-year-old was sent off favourite for his hurdling debut on his reappearance at Newcastle a fortnight ago and looked set to win until tiring and being caught approaching the final flight.

He will strip fitter now and can recoup the losses over a longer trip in the opening Bet & Watch with Racing UK Iphone Maiden Hurdle (12.20).

Bob Will has gained both of his career wins over fences, the latest at Newcastle in October when he overcame some early mistakes to take control in the final mile and run out an easy winner.

The gelding has since finished a close second on the Tyneside track and can take advantage of a low weight in the GBI Welcomes Nicosia Racing Club Handicap Chase (12.50), especially as Henry Brooke will claim the 3lbs allowance.Henry can make it a double on Bhaltair for his boss, Donald McCain, in the Download the Free Racing Plus App Handicap Chase (2.50).

The six-year-old romped home at the last meeting here a week ago when partnered by Brooke, who reported that the first time blinkers really helped his mount who was in control all the way up the home straight. That was over two and a half miles, but the gelding should not mind the drop back in trip, having won over the minimum two miles at Aintree and Haydock last year.

Selections: 12.20 Lord Wishes; 12.50 Bob Will; 2.20 Doc’s Legacy; 2.50 Bhaltair.