General Command to prevail

GORDON RICHARDS, probably feeling a bit down on his luck this week, can raise a smile with the victory of General Command in the Islay Handicap Chase at Ayr today.

Richards was hoping for Gold Cup triumph with One Man last Thursday, but it was not to be as the grey trailed in a disappointing sixth to Imperial Call.

The Greystoke trainer never seems to have much luck at the Festival but finds Ayr a much happier hunting ground, boasting a strike rate of one in four winners here.

General Command looks to have the right credentials to improve his record still further.

A winning hurdler, the eight year old looks the sort to excel over fences and so far appearances have not been deceptive. The son of Strong Gale started off by winning a novice event at Perth, before going on to do the same at Newbury.

He then was not discredited in Chepstow's Grade Two Rising Stars Novices' Chase before regaining the winning thread at Doncaster, staying on well to beat Lochnagrain by a length and a quarter.

That race was at the beginning of December, and it was not until earlier this month that General Command made his return, in a novice handicap back at Doncaster.

Taking up the running three from home, he looked likely to take plenty of beating jumping the last but tied up as if in need of the outing on the run in and was caught by Mary Reveley's 16 to 1 outsider Rhossili Bay. going down by a short head.

It is more than likely General Command will benefit from that run and he is taken to go one better here.

Tim Easterby has made a good start to his new training career after taking over the running of Habton Grange from his father Peter at the start of February, and his Sharkashka can follow up a recent course and distance win in the Jura Handicap Hurdle.

This Shardari mare produced a fine effort to beat Stash The Cash on her latest start, quickening into a clear lead approaching two out and eased up on the run in for a four length success.

If in that kind of form she will take some stopping.

Another who is quickly getting the hang of training is Graham McCourt, whose Uncle Bert can complete a hat trick in the `Certain Justice' Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase at Fontwell.