Feathered Gale can add to Moore stable's triumphs

FEATHERED GALE, one of many contributors to a magnificent campaign for Arthur Moore, can round off the Naas trainer's season in style by winning the Whitbread Gold Cup Chase at Sandown today.

Having landed the Murphys Irish Stout Munster National, finished runner up to Another Excuse in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter and then scored in the Jameson Irish Grand National, the nine year old seems best when chasing major long distance prizes with, the scent of alcohol wafting over the racecourse.

Feathered Gale, to be ridden again by Franny Woods, faces his stiffest test of the campaign now but he had a long break from November to mid March, should still be a fresh horse and, possibly more importantly, showed his best form when beating Jodami by eight lengths at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

He is set to meet Peter Beaumont's runner on better terms and, although Jodami should improve slightly for his latest outing, there seems no obvious reason why Feathered Gale cannot confirm the placings.

Moore's gelding goes well on fast ground when stamina is brought into play so the Whitbread Chase seems the perfect medium for him and he looks a sound bet.

General Rusty, Jodami, the free running grey Morceli and the other Irish challenger Life Of A Lord, representative of the Aidan O'Brien Charlie Swan partnership, look set to provide stiff opposition. The first named - the early selection of champion jockey Richard Dunwoody can chase Feathered Gale home from out of the handicap.

The Thresber Classic Trial has been won by some decent horses in the past it numbers Pentire, Shahrastani, Henbit and Troy among past winners - and it would be no surprise to see Santillana develop into a useful sort after winning today.

John Gosden has a good record in the race, having won with Linney Head and Pollen Count in the last four years.

Santillana won a minor event at Ripon on his three year old reappearance, but looked to blow up in, the final furlong and should improve significantly. Silver Dome could be his biggest danger.

Oliver Sherwood has had a disappointing season by his standards but Callisoe Bay can cheer him up by winning the Brewers Fayre Novices' Handicap Chase. Although he runs from the front and shows a lot of speed, he should go well over this two and a half miles.

At Ripon, Henry Cecil introduces a nicely bred newcomer in Kinlochewe in the Norpack Maiden Stakes.