Glen Shiel ready to go to Toon in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle
- Tom Reed
- 24 June 2022
Archie Watson does ever so well with his sprinters and Glen Shiel is "cherry-ripe" for the six furlong Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday, June 25 say connections.
Archie Watson's talented Glen Shiel is in fine fettle ahead of a crack at the Pertemps Network Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday, June 25.
Owner Hambleton's head racing manager, Cosmo Charlton is expecting a big run over six furlongs in the Group 3 which is worth a cool £45,368 to the winner: "He's in great form at home, Archie (Watson, trainer) has got him bouncing.
"He's an eight-year-old now and a big old unit. He always needs his first run, but I think he arguably needed that last run a little bit as well.
"I think he's cherry-ripe now. We didn't go to Ascot last week because of the ground, so we said we'd look towards the Chipchase and fingers crossed for a good run.
"I think it's a good Group Three. There's some improvers in there and it's a strong-looking race, but our horse has got good course form and has to go there with a really good each-way chance."
Hambleton also have a useful second runner in course and distance victor Magical Spirit.
"Again he goes really well at the track. Obviously he'll be a bit of an outsider and it's a hard task, but he could run well at a decent price," Charlton added.
The in-form Karl Burke has high hopes for Spycatcher, who went very close at Newcastle on All-Weather Championships Finals Day.
Burke is hoping a return to the North East with get Spycatcher moving again after a seventh last time out at Haydock
"He's in great form and looks really well. He wears cheekpieces for the first time, which we think will help him and sharpen him up," the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.
"He's one of those that just misses the kick sometimes, but he's jumped very well with the cheekpieces on. I don't think he's ungenuine, I think he just lacks concentration sometimes.
"After his disappointing last run, I thought it made sense to go back to the all-weather and back to Newcastle. We know he handles the track well.
"He was unlucky on Good Friday - he'd have definitely won if he'd jumped with the field."
