Kent eyeing chase and hurdle options for Erne River
Wetherby a possible pick for Haydock second.
Nick Kent is keeping his options open for stable star Erne River following a pleasing return behind Hitman at Haydock. The seven-year-old has only run eight times in his career, but quickly rose through the ranks as a novice chaser last season, winning impressively at both Doncaster and Wetherby before finishing his season in Graded company at Aintree and Sandown. Inexperience cost him in those end-of-season outings and it was perhaps his Achilles heel once again when second in Merseyside, with a mistake in the home straight stopping him getting closer than the official distance of 11 lengths to the King George-bound winner. However, Kent was encouraged by what he saw from Erne River in just his fifth run over fences and is now toying with the idea of stepping up to three miles for either a run in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day or reverting to timber and trying his hand in a staying hurdle. “I was really pleased with him and he’ll come on for the run,” said Kent. “He just needs a bit more experience. “I was pleased with his jumping and he just seems to be learning. I know he hit three out, but again I think that was a bit of inexperience. Hopefully he keeps progressing, I was really pleased with his effort.” On future options he added: “I was half toying with the idea of the Rowland Meyrick. The trouble is with his rating it’s a difficult one. We would be near top-weight, but he is a big horse mind, it’s never ideal being top-weight but he is a big enough horse and you would like to think he might be able to carry that. “I would like to take in another graduation chase if we don’t go to Wetherby, but I haven’t ruled out going back over hurdles and trying one of those longer distance hurdles, so we’re just going to keep an open mind. “He’s got decent form over shorter but we’re thinking three miles. He gives you the impression he will stay three miles and he should do, but you don’t know until you try.”Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
‘It’s over!’ Skelton fears title hopes have gone this term
‘The reality of beating Willie is, it’s not reality, I’m afraid.’
-
Next stop the Derby for Trial winner Bellum Justum
Balding: ‘He has ticked a lot of boxes, so we don’t see the point in running him again.’
-
United FA Cup collapse inspired Mullins to stay focused
‘You can’t count your chickens. You just have to go through and keep playing.’
-
Battling Bowen vows to keep pushing title rival Cobden
Welsh rider proud to declare: ‘Whether I win or lose, I haven’t given it up.’
-
Tributes pour in for Olivier Peslier following final rides
‘He is a gentleman and has been a great ambassador for France and for all jockeys.’
-
Peslier grateful for public support on farewell appearance
‘It’s very exciting to see all the people; for me, it is gratitude to everybody for coming.’
-
Nicholls understands reasoning behind Frost’s French move
‘It just strikes me she does ride well and she doesn’t get that many opportunities.’
-
Desert Hero drops back in trip for seasonal reappearance
William Haggas: ‘It’s a nice, stiff track and it’s a good starting place for him.’
-
Macduff team expect Classic Trial test to suit
Colt moves up to 10 furlongs with Derby aspirations on the line at Sandown.
-
‘Talented’ Nostrum makes Mile return at Sandown
Connections hoping to see ‘true’ colt after a difficult 2023 campaign.