Racing: Jack Dexter draw concerns Goldie

Jim Goldie: Low draw not ideal. Picture: Kate Chandler

The five-year-old enjoyed a superb campaign in 2013, with victories in the Cammidge Trophy and the Wentworth Stakes at Doncaster sandwiched between his success in Newcastle’s Chipchase Stakes. He was unable to successfully defend his Cammidge crown on his seasonal reappearance, finishing third, but Goldie is expecting improvement from his charge in the Group Two over six furlongs.

“Jack Dexter seems in good form. We were a bit disappointed after Doncaster as we expected him to win, but it was his first run of the year and he’s come on for it,” said the Renfrewshire trainer. “I would have preferred a better draw than stall one, but it is what it is. When you’re stuck on the end it makes life more difficult and I would have been much happier to have been drawn middle to high.”

Goldie is also happy to let his other star sprinter Hawkeyethenoo line up in the six-furlong heat, just four days after he finished third in a conditions race at Haydock. The eight-year-old, who will be ridden by Kieren Fallon, was beaten just a length and a half in the Duke of York 12 months ago.

Challenging Jack Dexter and Group One-winning two-year-old Astaire for favouritism is the Bryan Smart-trained Moviesta, while Eton Rifles, Heeraat and Tropics also feature in a wide-open contest.

Tom George is hopeful of big runs from his three Gloucestershire raiders at Perth tonight.

First up for the Slad trainer is On The Case in the Steadfast Scotland Novices’ Handicap Chase. He said: “He wasn’t beaten very far at Towcester last time. That was only his second run over fences and I’d be hopeful of him going close again.”

Next up for George is Gentle Bob, who only faces a trio of rivals in the Salutation Hotel Perth Handicap Chase over three miles. He added: “A small ﬁeld is good for us but I suppose it’s disappointing from the course’s point of view as it’s decent prize money. Gentle Bob will like the soft ground and he stays wel.”

The trainer’s ﬁnal runner of the evening is the mare Deﬁnitely Better in the concluding Raise The Bar At Perth College Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Brian Toomey will be back at the scene or his horriﬁc fall last July.

Meanwhile, Alan Jarvis has been unsuccessful in his appeal against the British Horseracing Authority’s decision not to grant him a training licence.

The BHA’s licensing committee announced in March that the handler would not be granted a full licence after deciding he was “not a suitable person”.

The reasons for the decision were not revealed at the conclusion of the first hearing, although Jarvis was declared bankrupt last year over debts owed to Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Ltd which have still not been settled. Jarvis, whose training career spans over 40 years, was granted a temporary licence to continue operating from his Buckinghamshire stables pending the result of yesterday’s appeal hearing. However, the 75-year-old failed in his attempt to overturn the original decision and is said to be “very disappointed”, with his son Tim now hoping to assume control at Mill Race Stables.