Barbican’s talent Flowers

BARBICAN rounded off a great first year on the track with an impressive success in the Listed Back Or Lay At betdaq.com Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton.

Settled just off the pace by Ryan Moore, the Alan Bailey-trained Hurricane Run gelding had the move of Laaheb covered when that one hit the front at the three pole, coming there strongly two out.

Ceilidh House, who had travelled well towards the rear, looked a real threat a furlong from home, but Barbican soon picked up and went away readily for a five-length success as the even-money favourite.

Unraced when with Aidan O’Brien, the three-year-old was winning his sixth race of 2011, and could have races like the Melbourne Cup on his long-range radar next season, as well as being a possible for the Dubai Carnival.

Today, Crackentorp can make a triumphant return to hurdling at Market Rasen after a fruitful summer on the level. Tim Easterby’s six-year-old is rated in the early-90s on the Flat, and looked in particularly good shape when taking seventh spot in the November Handicap at Doncaster.

He has, however, already set a decent standard on his sole try over hurdles, when staying on for third over two miles at Newcastle last November.

Crackentorp, who is seemingly adept on all surfaces, jumped pretty accurately at Gosforth Park and theoretically had little chance against Storm Brig and Flinty Bay.

The shrewd Easterby will rightly anticipate a big run in the Corona Extra Novices’ Hurdle, with this rise in trip just about ideal.

Roxane Bruere deserves her moment back in the spotlight when she contests the Magners Golden Draught Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

The Robin Dickin-trained six-year-old is just 5lb higher than when last successful, at Huntingdon in January, and is clearly coming to the boil nicely for this contest.

Dickin’s mare is at her best when leading from the front, a tactic which often works so well at the Lincolnshire track, and can rubber-stamp her well-being here.

Duke Of Lucca has found his easiest challenge over fences to date in the Weatherbys Talking Insurance Beginners’ Chase at Wincanton.

The Philip Hobbs-trained six-year-old arguably never really fulfilled his promise over hurdles last season, but is unquestionably laden with ability.

After all, he got to within two lengths of Peddlers Cross in an Aintree Grade Two last April, not to mention finishing third in the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle a couple of weeks later.