Dragons Will Rise returns to the racecourse for the first time since winning on the All Weather at Newcastle, just before lock-down, in March. The handicapper has raised him 2lb for that effort, and he remains well handicapped. He has no form on a softer surface, but this race should put him spot on for a successful campaign, the race is at 4.30.pm. and Graham Lee is booked.
Lairig Ghru returns to the flat after last being seen in a juvenile hurdle at Cartmel back in August, he appeared to give his all that day, but ran out of stamina.As a two year old on the flat he ran three very promising races, all over six furlongs, finishing third on two occasions. He has been given an opening mark of 69, which seems fair on what he achieved last year, this is his first try at one mile, and Graham Lee takes the ride.
Good luck to the connections, The Golden Cookoo, and Mrs N J McGrath.
DRAGONS WILL RISE. 02 April 2016. Dragon Pulse-Jaldini Owner-The Golden Cuckoo.
Dragons Will Rise has taken a lot longer to come to hand, and also for the penny to drop, than expected.He was the yards last winner before racing's lock down was put in place, winning at Newcastle on March 10th, with the promise of much more to come.He is by the high class miler Dragon Pulse, out of an unraced Darshaan mare, making him a half brother to the four times listed winner Jalmira, who achieved a Racing Post Rating of 109.
Dragons Will Rise didn't make his juvenile debut until August 2018 at Redcar, where he ran very green,only beating two home, under Michael Stainton. Badly in need of experience, he made a quick reappearance at Pontefract a week later, this time finishing eight of the nine runners.On his third start at Catterick, in September, he finished forth of the seven, showing a little more on that occasion, and earning a handicap mark of 59.His final run as a two year old was in a Redcar nursery, but he lost the race at the start, by leaving the stalls very slowly.
He returned for the start of his three year old career, over a mile at Wetherby, in April 2019, once again he was very sluggish from the stalls.At the same track a month later, he got within five lengths of the winner, finishing sixth of the 13.He raced twice more on the flat, unfortunately making no show on both occasions
Dragons Will Rise made his hurdles debut at Catterick in November,with stamina always being the big issue, he was never in contention, but as he gets older, and gains more experience, he may have another crack at it, at a later date.
He made his all weather debut at Newcastle in February, and for the first time in his career, looked like he was capable of winning a race.He was beaten a length in to third place over a mile, under Graham Lee, after being denied a clear run, but staying on strongly, and 11 days later, over the same course and distance, he picked up willingly when asked by champion all weather jockey Ben Curtis, to win by half a length.
LAIRIG GHRU. 12 April 2017. Canford Cliffs-Word Perfect. Owner-Mrs N J McGrath.
Lairig Ghru is by Canford Cliffs, the Coventry Stakes winner of 2009, who would go on to be a top class miler at three, and four, achieving an official rating of 127.His Dam Word Perfect was the winner of five races, over five, and six furlongs, and went on to produce the dual Listed sprint winner Perfect Pasture.
Lairig Ghru has raced on four occasions to date, making his debut over six furlongs at Pontefract last September in a two year old maiden, finishing a very promising third, beaten just two and a half lengths 15 days later he was back in action, this time over the same trip on the All Weather at Newcastle, and after taking a keen hold, he once again filled the third spot, beaten three, and three quarter lengths. His final start to date on the flat was back at Newcastle in November, this time in slightly better company he led till one out, before fading to finish in sixth, beaten just over five lengths.
Lairig Ghru has made a promising start as a juvenile, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can achieve at three.
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