Racing - Chief Dan set for Ayr war-dance (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Racing - Chief Dan set for Ayr war-dance

9:58am Saturday 18th April 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

CHIEF Dan George could put the Lake District village of Cartmel in the spotlight with a big-race win in the Scottish Grand Natonal at Ayr this afternoon (Saturday).

Trainer Jimmy Moffatt is hopeful of a massive run from his stable star and the National looks part of a well-laid plan.

Although Chief Dan George was a Grade One winner as a staying hurdle, he has been given a very low-profile switch to fences at Hexham and Kelso.

Just five runs means that he's barely out of the novice stage, but Moffatt's approach has brought him a reasonable handicap mark with which to work.

Mr Moffatt went on record in the racing press this week as saying: "We've had this race in mind since before Christmas.

"We made entries for Cheltenham and the rest, but we thought the Scottish National was the way we were going to go and miss Aintree out.

"We have purposely done it like this and we just hope it goes OK. We are quietly confident."

The only worries were that the ground might get sloppy, but the recent dry spell has helped ensure good going, and that will suit the Chief who likes to spring over the obstacles, says his handler.

The Chief faces a tough task against some battle-hardened campaigners like Nine De Sivola and Merigo, but this extreme four-mile trip looks set to bring the best out of him.