Lacey eyeing Coral Cup for Sebastopol

Keith Hamer
February 4, 2020 5:15 pm

Musselburgh winner could switch up in distance at Cheltenham Festival.

Sebastopol may step up in trip for the Coral Cup rather than stick to two miles in the Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Tom Lacey believes Sebastopol will benefit from going up to two miles and five furlongs, after seeing him win the Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh on Saturday.

“I was very pleased,” said Lacey.

“I think it looks like he probably wants a step up in trip. I’d say the Coral Cup is more likely than the County Hurdle.

“He’ll probably have an entry in both, but I think he’ll benefit from a step up in trip.”

Lacey enjoyed a second success in the north when Dorking Cock defied a 7lb rise in the ratings at Carlisle, a month after scoring at Chepstow.

The Herefordshire handler may send Dorking Cock up to Ayr next Tuesday as he expects the handicapper to give him a similar rise for his four-and-a-half-length win over Fanzio.

“He’s done it well, but I don’t know how much more he’s got,” said Lacey.

“He’s probably not going to get into a 0-120 again for several years.

“They gave him 7lb last time – they’ll probably give him another 6lb or 7lb this time, and that will be him until he drops back down, I’d have thought.

“I’m going to stick him in a couple of 0-120s again – one at Ayr next week, so we’ll see. I shall look to get him out quickly. I’d like to see what the handicapper does.”