Escaria Ten camp considering either Thyestes or Welsh National

Escaria Ten could head for next month’s Thyestes Chase after chasing home Darasso on his reappearance at Thurles last week.

The eight-year-old was making his first start of last season when contesting the Thyestes at Gowran Park in January and a lack of fitness told in the closing stages, with Gordon Elliott’s charge fading into eighth place.

However, with the benefit of a run under his belt this time around following a two-length second in Listed company, it is hoped he could mount a bolder bid if taking his chance once more in Gowran’s prestigious handicap on January 26.

The Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, which takes place on December 27, is a possible alternative, though.

“He has come out of his race at Thurles fine and he could come over for the Welsh National, but he also has the option of going for the Thyestes,” said Iain Turner, racing manager for Escaria Ten’s owners the McNeill Family.

“We felt in the Thyestes earlier this year the ground was quicker than normal at Gowran, which didn’t suit him, and he didn’t have the benefit of a run. He was sort of in top gear and he had to be almost pushed along to get involved. He came up to the top bend going nicely but those efforts took their toll.

“So, the plan was always to get a run into him early this season and the Thurles race was perfect. We were all really happy with how that race went up against a race-fit rival and over a trip that was probably shorter than ideal. We were very happy with how he ran.”

Escaria Ten is one of three McNeill Family-owned horses among the initial entries for the Welsh National alongside Threeunderthrufive and The Wolf.

Although no final decision has been made, ground conditions in Monmouthshire could rule Escaria Ten out of boarding the ferry.

Turner added: “At the time the entries came out we thought we would put him in just in case. It would be quite nice to have one in the Welsh National, but we will just have to play that one by ear.

“The feedback from the lads who rode there on Saturday was that the ground is pretty quick at Chepstow and while you wouldn’t be worried about that for Threeunderthrufive, you probably wouldn’t want to bring Escaria over for it – he’s definitely better with a bit of cushion.

“If it was to get wet we would consider it, but it would be a decision for the five-day stage.”

Meanwhile, Richard Hobson is eager to see some rain ahead of a tilt at the Welsh Grand National with stable stalwart Lord Du Mesnil.

The nine-year-old, who was second in the 2020 edition of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, has made a name for himself when the mud flies so perhaps it is no surprise that three of his four career victories have come at Haydock in the depths of winter.

It was soft ground again when he reappeared at Bangor last month, when he gave a good account to finish just under five lengths adrift of Le Milos in second.

Dan Skelton’s winner of that event has gone on to frank the form in style by winning the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and Hobson believes there is plenty to look forward to following Lord Du Mesnil’s encouraging return as he builds towards an appearance at Chepstow on December 27.

“He’s well and we’ve wanted to run him since Bangor but haven’t been able to,” said the trainer.

“What we’ve learnt about this horse is he can go through ground that other horses can’t.

“It was only his first run back of the season at Bangor and the last thing I wanted Paul (O’Brien, jockey) to do was to be hard on the horse – it was an encouraging run.

“We just haven’t had the rain since to go again so we will sit tight until the Welsh National. I personally wanted to win a nice handicap before then but it’s only two and a half weeks away now, so it’ll soon come round.

“He hasn’t come down too much (in the ratings) and the handicapper even put him back up a 1lb (for Bangor), but if he turns up at Chepstow on the day and it rains, and it’s rained a couple of days before and it’s not that tacky old frost covered ground then he would have a real good chance. He just gallops and stays.”